Department of Student Engagement

Motivation

Ten Commandments of Motivation

By John K. Trocke

Share responsibility, remembering that as you take credit for the success, you must also share the failure.
Understand that as a leader you can give authority and allow others to contribute to their own success as well as your success.
Constantly remind yourself that only through participation can others make their jobs meaningful.
Communicate the why as well as the what to insure that understanding and cooperation become a habit.
Evaluate accomplishments on the basis of the results achieved rather than on the activities engaged in.
Sincerely be humble, knowing that most people would rather succeed than fail at their jobs.
Seek always to set a good example, and through expecting good performance you will reap great rewards.
Force yourself to set goals and priorities for your job so others can build their goals toward these.
Be objective, fair and honest in your actions and deeds, realizing the mantle of leadership is yours.
Light the way for change, knowing that putting yourself in the other person’s shoes is the greatest gift of a leader.

The GRAPE Theory of Motivation

Growth: Being able to increase one’s skills and competencies; performing new or more complex tasks; participating in training programs.
Recognition: Promotion within the organization and when appropriate; praise for achievements; feedback (both positive and constructive criticism); receiving an award; printed references to an individual’s activities; being “listened to.”
Achievement: The opportunity to solve a problem; to see the results of one’s efforts; to reach goals that one has established to create a “whole” tangible product.
Participation: Involvement in the organizational decision-making, planning and scheduling one’s own work, and controlling one’s own work activities.
Enjoyment: Having fun in a warm, friendly, and supportive atmosphere.

Motivation may be one of the most difficult tasks a leader faces. Some days it seems hard enough to get yourself motivated and excited about the group’s meeting or activity, but as a leader, it is your responsibility to motivate the members of your group in order to accomplish things.

Some Hints on Motivation

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Start with Yourself

Take it to the Individual

Criticize and approve constructively
Criticize in private
Praise in public
Play up the positive
Give weight to the fact that people carry out their own best ideas
Use every opportunity to build a member’s sense of importance in his/her work
Give honest credit where credit is due
Avoid domination or forcefulness
Let members know where they stand and why
Make personal contact before and after meetings to encourage participation
Help others think better of themselves throughout the activity
Encourage shy members to participate and speak up

Express It to the Group

Make the members want to do things-inspiration, incentive, recognition
Study members and determine what makes each of them tick
Show interest in and appreciation for others
Let members know your plan, even at the early stages
Delegate responsibility for details to members
Make your wishes known by suggestion or request
When you make a request or suggestion, be sure to explain your reasons for it
Show members you have confidence in them and expect them to do their best
Ask members for their counsel and help
If an idea is adopted or rejected, tell the originator why
Share your goals, sense of direction, and provide something to strive for and achieve
Keep members informed on matters affecting them
Utilize small groups and place members on committees that interest them
Avoid assigning unnecessary tasks
Encourage sharing without criticism or judgment
Brainstorm new goals, programs and projects
Establish a genuine feeling for belonging to a group
Provide a valuable learning experience as a result of the activity
Remember to express your appreciation to your members

Adapted from LeaderBits, the University of Kansas, and Dr. Sara Boatman’s GRAPE theory of motivation.