There is no doubt that as leaders, our job is to produce—to make more of our products or our services or our whatever each and every day. And as leaders, we have a tendency to get bogged down in our daily to-do lists to produce as much of our “whatever” as we can.
The problem? We also tend to forget that we don’t run our businesses alone. (Well … unless you’re a one-person shop. Then, of course, you do. Sorry. Didn’t mean to point you out and make you feel lonely … this is awkward … ice cream?) Most of us work with a team of people who are helping to grow our efforts.
Therefore, I will say, as I always do, it’s your job to make your team successful. Why? Because if you can, you have successfully duplicated yourself, along with about a dozen other reasons I won’t cover today. One of the ways to make them successful is to inspire them. When team members are inspired, they are more productive. Here are four quick ways to motivate them:
- Look at you!!! – Recognition is the fastest and easiest way to inspire someone. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, wants to be recognized for something they have done. Preferably, it’s something GOOD they’ve accomplished, especially in front of peers or leaders.
- Dear John – Or Sally or whoever your team member may be. Take five minutes and write a handwritten note of appreciation to them. It doesn’t take a lot of words to say, “I think you’re amazing.” In fact, it takes four.
- Are you buzzin’? – Take them or send someone to go pick up some REAL coffee. You know, something other than the thick black stuff in the break room that you can peel paint or the lining of your stomach with. Go get some Dillanos. :-D
- Is that a quarter behind your ear? – Or even better: Is that $50 in my hand as I shake yours? Giving someone a $50 handshake when they aren’t expecting it will blow them away. And trust me, they will produce more than that in the next 15 minutes because they are pumped!
Inspiring someone doesn’t take much. Just a few minutes of thought and a few more minutes of action. Give it a try right now and see what happens. Unless you’re reading this alone in your car as you’re driving. In that case, put this down and remember, 10 and two … 10 and two!
Question: How will you inspire a team member today?
You have to have an inspired team. That’s a no-brainer. If your team is not inspired they are not productive.
What do you get when you have an inspired team? What happens when you spend time focusing on inspiring your team?
That’s the subject of today’s show: 5 Unconventional Ways to Inspire Your Team
For me personally, when I understand that I have a purpose and am part of a mission then I tend to pour myself into that job. I bring my all. I bring energy and loyalty.
And if you’ve done a good job leading me, you will have my buy in…which leads to my ownership.
That’s what I want for my team. I don’t want somebody who doesn’t feel like what they are doing isn’t bigger than them or doesn’t have ownership in their job.
I don’t hire a person who “can” do the job. I want somebody who wants to do the job. I want someone who says, “Chris – I want to be a part of this!”.
So here are the 5 Unconventional Ways to Inspire Your Team.
(If they don’t make sense just listen to the podcast.)
1. Take A Lap – Get up and get out. (It’s become a ritual for the Chris LoCurto team. )
2. Intentional Gelato – a great chance to teach culture.
3. Team Potluck – It’s not what you think…wink wink.
4. One on One Meetings – “It’s not you, it’s me.”
5. The Teachable Moment – cue Lightbulb.
Remember, as a leader it’s your job to make your team successful, not the other way around.
