Motivation…or Inspiration?

Motivation…or Inspiration?

Currie Gauvreau, MA
Contributing Writer
Direct Energy/Success Academy

When discussing the popular topic of Leadership, invariably the word motivation gets mentioned.  And what is usually asked is “How do I motivate my team” or “what motivates people”?  Leaders know that there is no single answer.  Some people are motivated by money, others time off.  Some might be motivated by accomplishments, still others by recognition.  This is easy to explain…….every one is different!  Science tells us that there are two categories of motivation, intrinsic and extrinsic.  Intrinsic is internal, doing something for personal satisfaction.  Extrinsic is external, doing something because you will receive something tangible, like a bonus.  The reality is a person cannot motivate another person.  All you can do is offer something to them, which in turn triggers a desire within that person and causes them to act!

Maybe we are approaching motivation in the wrong way.  Maybe, we should look at a higher state of mind.  Maybe, we should be inspiring our people rather than trying to motivate them!  I can’t think of higher praise than for someone to tell me that I inspired them!  Recently, I attended a conference where the speaker was Lance Secretan, and he changed how I view leadership training.  I sat in the audience, scribbling furiously because what he was saying made sense!  There is a higher level to achievement and getting production out of your team, and that higher level is inspiration.  100 years ago, managers did not care if you were motivated, happy, satisfied etc.  All they cared about was if you were productive.  And if you weren’t, they found someone who was.  50 years ago, managers realized that they could get more production out of their workers by enticing them, thus the focus on motivation.  Today, it appears we have once again evolved.  Secretan believes, as do I, that we can now increase productivity by increasing job satisfaction.  And that enhanced satisfaction comes from your people being inspired.

If you appreciate self-development, you will agree that to improve you must take steps.  To inspire, you must be inspired.  What inspires you?  Are you living an inspired life?  Is it possible that you may need to make some changes.  Secretan discusses the CASTLE® Principles.  The acronym CASTLE® stands for Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love, and Effectiveness. When fully lived, these six principles are the path to becoming free from living uninspired lives. For more information on Lance and his work, go to www.secretan.com, I know I will.

 

Currie Gauvreau has 26 years of experience as a trainer and has taught at several Universities since 2008. He retired as a Patrol Sergeant with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in Florida after serving as the primary instructor at the police academy for two years. As the Manager of Branded Training within Direct Energy’s Learning & Development group, he is responsible for the development, design, delivery, and evaluation of training and education for the franchise system consisting of Instructor Led Training, Web Based Training, and Online Self-directed Training. He manages a training group that serves all of North America. Direct Energy Services is one of North America’s largest home services providers and offers a wide range of services to homes including HVAC, plumbing and electrical services through our service brands of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®, Mister Sparky® electric, and One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning®.