10 ways to inspire and motivate people

It is common sense to believe that a person’s leadership ability is associated with their personality, upbringing and even genetics. Many believe that there are those who were “born to lead”, they are the “born leaders”. Myth. Psychologists claim that a number of variables influence an individual’s ability to lead, but they also argue that leadership is something that can be developed and perfected in human beings and is not an innate ability, that is, it is not born with the person.

Anyone who has the ability to learn new behaviors can become a leader. “Some find it easier to act as leaders because in their life history they had the opportunity to act as leaders and they were successful. Other people, already adults who still don’t act like that, can develop these skills, and one way to do this is through observation and practice”, explains Luciano Carneiro, clinical and organizational psychologist, studying for a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis.

Among the qualities of a person capable of inspiring and motivating people, Luciano highlights some of them: “a leader needs to be organized, willing to listen to his team, he must act in order to serve his team, in the sense of supporting it in order to that the work is carried out with quality”. In addition, being malleable, working as a team, and showing gratitude are all significant qualities of a leader. He knows 10 ways to inspire and motivate people.

1. Be present – ​​work as a team

One of the things that motivates and inspires people is to see someone doing the activity that needs to be done to the best of their ability. Whether it’s a job for a big company, a volunteer service or even in moments of leisure, people observe the behavior of those around them and feel motivated by those who work as a team and do what needs to be done, without negotiations. The leader is the one who is close to the people and sharing the work together with his team, group, community.

2. Show gratitude

Recognize the importance of the work and effort put in by those around you. Compliment your employees. Show your gratitude and job satisfaction through actions and words that show how grateful you are.

3. listen

Hear more, talk enough! To motivate people, it is necessary, first, to listen to their opinions and impressions. “The leader needs to listen to his team regarding difficulties encountered or suggestions for improvement and be willing to find solutions. This makes people safer and more free to carry out their work”, says the psychologist.

4. Be malleable

Know how to adapt your projects and ideas to the conditions of the moment. Have a plan B, an alternative. When necessary, reflect and change your mind.

5. Be organized

A disorganized person, who doesn’t meet schedules and commitments, doesn’t answer your emails and doesn’t know where the documents are filed doesn’t serve as inspiration and motivation! Want to exercise positive leadership? Be organized and punctual.

6. Don’t be authoritative

Most of the time, leadership is associated with orders. A good leader is one who knows how to use the authority he has to create the conditions for the team’s goals, and not his individual ones, to be achieved. But it is necessary to understand that authority is not the same as authoritarianism. Psychologist Luciano Carneiro explains the difference: “when someone acts with authority, that person is able to influence people to work towards the established goal or objective – which will bring benefits to the collective. When acting with authoritarianism, the focus is on the individual needs of the one who commands and often disregards the ability of the one who must “obey” orders”.

7. Learn to facilitate

“In general, the leader needs to be attentive to the needs of the people around him and propose alternatives so that these needs are met. Thus, his team is able to be responsive to his guidelines and can work motivated in pursuit of the established objectives”, explains Carneiro.

8. Look up to someone

Everyone has been led at some point in their lives. Parents, teachers, bosses are leaders who, at each stage of development, play an important role. The fact is that some leaders influence positively, others should not be used as inspiration. “People need to observe their own behaviors so they can see what they already do that is interesting (in terms of leadership) and what needs to improve. It is also important to have another leader as a positive reference, that is, to observe what behaviors that leader presented or presents and what results he obtained/obtains with that”, says the psychologist.

9. Expand your vision

An effective leader is able to understand the importance of certain actions because he predicts long-term results. “Usually, people who do not act as leaders are focused on the immediate result of their work, while the leader is focused, for example, on the impact that one person’s work will have on the work of the other and what the possible end result will be. this work”, explains Luciano. This skill allows the leader to provide adequate support to his team members.

10. Provide feedback

“The leader also needs to provide feedback. Whatever the activity, regardless of context, people need to be informed about their performance: What’s good? Why is it good? what can be improved? How can it be improved? What is the leader’s expectation for this person? Feedback is an opportunity for the leader to highlight the positive results of a person’s work, which naturally brings satisfaction to them”, explains Carneiro.