How to Motivate Your Team: Leadership Practices That Work

Leadership isn’t just about intention—it’s about what we actually do every day.

It’s easy to say we want to motivate our team, but there’s a big difference between who we WANT to be as leaders and who we are BEING, and how we show up in each interaction.

Take a Leadership Inventory to Motivate Your Team

One of the simplest ways to motivate your team and increase their engagement is to take a leadership inventory. Ask yourself:

·       What was my attitude yesterday when interacting with my team?

·       What words did I use?

·       Was I silently judging or wishing they would hurry up and finish talking?

·       Was I silently resenting them or feeling superior to them?

Reflecting on these questions helps you see where your leadership behaviors either motivate your team or unintentionally reduce engagement.

The Difference Between Wanting and Being

If you are committed to motivating your team and fostering engagement, consider:

·       Did my words and actions inspire others to do more?

·       Did I help my team feel valued and empowered to contribute?

If the answer is yes, then you were truly being a leader—not just intending to lead.

Reflection Questions to Increase Team Engagement

To continue improving your leadership and increase team engagement, ask yourself:

·       What leadership behaviors did I demonstrate yesterday?

·       Where can I make a 1% improvement in how I show up today?

Even small shifts in behavior can have a meaningful impact on your team’s motivation and performance.

Your Leadership Creates the Experience

Your team experiences your leadership in everything you say and do.

By intentionally showing up, you can motivate your team, foster engagement, and create extraordinary experiences at work.

Optional Call to Action:What’s one action you can take today to motivate your team and increase engagement? Share in the comments or try it tomorrow and notice the difference.