The success of any organization depends on team members working hard and making the necessary sacrifices to get the job done.
Leaders know that a highly motivated workforce delivers more effort, quality, and output, so they do their best to light a bonfire of inspiration and motivation to propel them forward.
By asking themselves what people work so hard for, they attempt to find just the right mix of praise, responsibility, influence, challenge, status, compensation, competition, and higher purpose to ignite the hottest flame.
But the best leaders rely on an additional insight.
They not only ask what team members work so hard for — but also for whom. They never forget this: Underneath the trappings, recognition, and rewards that motivate them to do their best work, team members sacrifice most for others in their lives.
They work hard for the people they love. First and foremost, team members work hard and sacrifice for their children, their partners, and their families. That’s the real reason they dedicate themselves to the work and make the sacrifices they do.
Leaders who understand this universal motivation operate differently than others. They invest the time to learn about those who matter to team members and seek opportunities to include them in the workplace. They encourage team members to adorn the workspace with family photos and memorabilia and often inquire about what they see.
At appropriate times, they send messages of encouragement, congratulations, and support to family members and partners and take an interest in the milestones and events they experience.
They design and invite children and other loved ones to functions geared toward them and include them in workplace celebrations and happenings to underscore their importance.
The best leaders encourage family-friendly policies that help team members support their loved ones during significant life events, offer support groups and resources for team members who struggle with family issues, invest in workshops for navigating family life, and promote flexible work arrangements when team members need them.
Most of all, they lead by example, showcasing their own families and loved ones and making them a priority in everything they do at work.
When you next think about what will motivate team members to produce their best work, don’t overlook the importance of those they love.
In the words of one author, when it comes to personal motivation, “Family is not an important thing. It is everything.”
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
