But there's a problem with the question. What does the question assume? That employees aren't already motivated. This is a fundamental misunderstanding about what motivation is. You can't build a great house on faulty foundations.
We picture someone who is motivated as working hard to achieve a vision or goal. But someone sitting on the couch for five hours eating junk food is motivated. Both are motivated, but in very different ways.
The root of the word motivation is motive, which is a reason for acting.
Motivation isn't inherently positive. It's a voluntary action in a given direction. There is a motive for every voluntary action we take. And every action we take has a consequence.
Here's the big secret when it comes to motivating employees: Everyone is motivated! The thing we've been searching for is already there. When we find ourselves (and others) "unmotivated" to take action toward our goals, we are actually motivated to do something else.
Okay, you say, but if everyone is already motivated, why aren't they getting what they want? Why do some people get positive outcomes and others get negative ones?
It's all a matter of direction. You can take a step forward (positive motivation) or backward (negative motivation). Often the cause of stepping backward is short-term thinking – instant gratification:
"I want to get in shape and I want that cake."
"I want to save money and I want those shoes."
Leadership and Motivation
The relationship between leadership and motivation is an important one. Leaders live for the long-term rather than the short-term. Leaders live life backwards: from a vision of the future back to today. They're willing to make small sacrifices now to enjoy fulfilment and success in the future.
In Catapult Leadership people learn how to motivate others in a positive direction. It's not about motivating employees - it's about directing the motivation they already have.
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