Motivating employees
We have defined the single most important element of motivating employees and people. I am convinced motivating others is among the most noble tasks in life.
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To motivate another person you need to help him or her discover their own WHY.
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Motivated employees
Have you ever experienced someone with no perceived purpose? We all have. In fact, I dare say most people give little thought to purpose at all. In stead they spend their strength asking WHAT, WHO and HOW and thus become obsessed with immediate gratification and pleasure - of having more than being and becoming. Any wonder why we find so many employees and professional individuals today only half-heartedly and/or cynically pushing company interests? They don't really care. If an obstacle bars their way, they simply go around it.
While training people I always feel sorry for whoever is superficially motivated by WHAT, WHO and HOW. It's so very obvious. Without exploring the deeper WHY there isn't much mission or "life" left. Without WHY we're not really living, but are being lived - not really working, but rather being worked up. Also, without a deep desire and drive the ability to enjoy is as it were non-existent, too. Without ***WHY*** WHAT, WHO and HOW are only a shallow exercise to satisfy short term needs and wants.
Employees need "a WHY perspective" to a bright and clearly defined future. If they haven't got the mental picture you may need to help them paint it.
Mission of a manager
Your own WHY cannot be projected on to others. Each individual needs to discover it for him or herself. Our task becomes one of facilitation helping one person at a time to identify this WHY. When we do, something magical takes place.
As you can see, the essence of motivation is in fact selling. When you motivate someone, really what you're doing is selling. I cannot imagine a more noble task than inspiring and motivating other people. Selling is helping people discover their purpose - waking them up - giving them a life. Can you see why the art of selling (or motivation) is so paramount to any other subject or talent, especially in a manager?!
A manager that doesn't know how to sell should never be left in charge of human resources!

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