How To Get More From Your Team

You’re inspired to make big things happen right? You’ve got a big vision for your work and your career. You’re energised and motivated to get out there and make it happen. 

You mean well and I’m sure what you’re wanting to create and achieve is amazing, So why is it so hard to motivate and inspire those around you to see what you see? Why is it so hard to get your team energised and invested in getting out there and creating amazing and meaningful things? 

To be honest, sometimes it feels a bit like pushing sh!t uphill doesn’t it? 

What it boils down to is whether you have the awareness about the core motivators of your team and whether you are using this awareness to connect with your team at a deeper and more meaningful level. 

To put it frankly, buzz motivational words and phrases like “all for one and one for all” and “let’s go the extra mile” and “just put the hard work in now and reap the rewards later”.... simply don’t work anymore.

It’s been well documented that pay incentives and the promises of promotion if you just “put in the hard yards” to work 80 hrs a week to bring someone else’s vision to fruition just aren’t valued - in fact, they demotivate people. 

And if I hear one more sporting analogy about how a team should operate, act, think and behave - I will puke..... 

Let me ask you a question - what is the one thing human beings value above all else? 

Simply put...Connection. And a close second is Understanding. 

Think about yourself for a moment now. When was the last time you went above and beyond for someone else? When was the last time you went out of your way to stay back late or to give up your own time to help someone? 

What was/is your relationship with that person? I can almost guarantee it wasn’t for a complete stranger who you don’t know at all. I can also guarantee it wasn’t for someone who pushes you around, dictates to you and operates from “it’s my way or the highway”. 

It’s human nature to go above and beyond for the people who we like and know well. It’s natural to go the extra mile for someone who has taken the time to get to know us, connect with us and understand us. 

And it’s no different for your team. 

They aren’t going to respond to a leader who dictates to them, throws buzz words around, throws them in the deep end and then expects them to figure it out on their own. 

But they will respond to a leader who knows the name of their spouse, their children, their hobbies and interests. To a leader who knows their strengths and what they’re working on to progress their career. 

They will absolutely trust and go above and beyond for a leader who has taken their time to connect with them and understand them on a deeper level. 

So, the next time you are struggling to get what you need from your team - maybe your approach is wrong.

Try the connection thing. 

Let me know how it goes. 

Josh ‘Connection’ Stone