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The Reality of Motivating a Team
Motivation is one of those areas that many struggle with. On a fairly regular basis people email me to ask about how to motivate their team.
It’s a good question and here’s the reality. You can work on creating the type of environment where people give their best. What you can’t do is wave a magic wand and make people motivated.
You see motivation is very personal. Basically it is all about desire. Not just desire to do something when you feel like it but a desire even when you don’t feel up to it.
I can remember when I was doing my accountancy exams. Many times I came in from work and didn’t feel that excited about studying.
At the same time I knew that by studying that evening I was doing something that took me closer to something I wanted in this case a professional qualification.
When I was a Finance Director dealing with some significant financial and operational challenges there were times when my motivation was low.
In those times it was my desire to improve things for the benefit of others in the organisation and those that used our services that kept me moving forward.
So if you are managing or leading a team ask yourself the following questions:
1. Have I created the type of environment where people want to give their best?
2. Do I really know what matters to those on my team?
3. Am I trying too hard to motivate others?
4. Am I assuming that everyone should be like me and just be motivated?
Duncan Brodie helps accountants and finance teams perform to their potential and achieve personal career success.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.