DEVELOP YOUR SELF-AWARENESS
Leading by example is a great start, but you can dig deeper. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Develop your self-awareness and learn about your natural leadership style. When you better understand yourself, you can develop your skills and become a well-rounded leader who can switch styles to inspire a team in any circumstance.
1. MASTER COMMUNICATION
The best leaders excel at reading nonverbal cues and use mirroring and pacing techniques to exert influence. They’re able to adapt to different communication styles to ensure they are understood. They’re always empathetic and open to new views, and they know how to use deep listening. Ask questions, listen to the answers and implement solutions. Often feeling heard is enough for team inspiration.
2. BUILD RAPPORT AND TRUST
Building rapport is about relationships: being open and authentic, finding common ground and establishing mutual respect. Creating those deeper connections is essential to intrinsic team motivation. The benefits of authenticity go even further. When you’re transparent with your team, you’ll build trust in the workplace and earn respect. When your team respects you, they will be much more open to your suggestions
RECOGNIZE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Now that you’ve built the foundation of team motivation, you can implement a series of actions to help inspire your team to greatness. The first is recognition – everyone wants to be recognized. When you see a team member go above and beyond, recognize them. You’ll empower them to do more of the same.
3. FOSTER COLLABORATION
When employees work as a true team, rather than as separate individuals, everyone is more productive. Teams hold each other accountable, but also help when someone is overwhelmed or absent. Outings, fun traditions and friendly competitions foster that sense of collaboration and improve team motivation.
4. ENCOURAGE PERSONAL GROWTH
Those with a growth mindset achieve goals because they enjoy learning new things. You can develop this mindset in your team by encouraging personal growth. Send them articles about new skills they could master, books about success and invites to networking events. Personal growth leads to professional growth.
REWARD CREATIVITY
What do the Apples, Pelotons and Spotifys of the world have in common? They all have cultures of innovation that encourage employees to take risks, think creatively and always reach for the next best thing. You can embrace this form of team inspiration by encouraging brainstorming, rewarding originality and learning from failures and mistakes rather than punishing them.
TRUST YOUR TEAM
If you’re wondering how to inspire your team, the answer is almost never to micromanage them. One of the best ways to inspire your team may be to take a more hands-off approach. You’ll never know what your team can accomplish if you’re always micromanaging; many employees find it stifling. Learn more about how to embrace your leadership role and manage your business from a place of trust, and you just may find the key to motivating your team.
