How to motivate and inspire people in difficult times?

Probably, if you stay with them, they will follow your instructions, but as soon as you leave, they will return to what they think is important.

Today's leaders must win the cooperation of the people more than ever. And there are two main ways to do this: motivation and inspiration. Although the two words are often used in the same sense, they actually mean quite different things - depending on what you want to achieve.

What is the motivation?

Motivation refers to getting others to act in a way that helps them achieve a clear and immediate goal. When you motivate people to do something they don't necessarily want to do, you need to give them something they want in return.

Coaches who give their team a talk of encouragement at the break use motivation. They want players to re-enter the field with renewed energy and concentration, although they may be too tired or too discouraged to try again. Their reward? Victoria!

Here are five ways you can motivate your people.

1. Tell them exactly what you want them to do

Motivation basically means getting people to take action, so you don't have to express yourself vaguely. Avoid generalities such as "I want you to give your best", and instead say "I want you to come on the weekend and finish this project on time".

2. Limit the time and effort you require

It's easier to ask people to work late one night, or even every night for a week, than to expect them to work late indefinitely. Set a final date.

3. Share the sacrifice with them

True leaders do not ask people to do what they themselves are not willing to do. Don't tell your people to work on the weekends if you have plans for a day at the spa. Lift up your sleeves and share the burden of each task with them.

4. Appeal to their emotions

Fear can focus people's attention and be an effective motivator: "If we don't finish now, we will lose all our jobs." But if you always appeal to fear, you will end up demotivating the team. People prefer to be motivated by positive emotions such as enthusiasm, pride, a sense of belonging and the emotion of accomplishment.

5. Give more reasons for the team to do what you want them to do

You can give them to your team either a reason of your own or the reason why the company asks them for a specific action: "If we don't finish this project according to the program, we will lose the contract". But the best reason is always a personal reason. It would be great if you could give them more days off or even a bonus. Or you can talk to them about something intangible, which comes from the fact that they have achieved something important together, such as camaraderie or even friendship.

But given the current situation, the best thing you can offer the team during this period is the hope that no one will lose their job.

What is inspiration?

Inspiration, on the other hand, involves changing the way people think and feel about themselves so that they want to take positive action. Inspiration connects to a person's values ​​and desires.

Professional speakers - at least the best of them - inspire their audience. They talk about the challenges that can arise on the way to a goal - either personal or collective - and about the possibilities of making a difference.

Inspiration appeals to people's best aspirations, and its implicit, often unspoken message is, "You can become what you want to be!" No reward is promised, except the one that comes from within: the feeling of personal satisfaction.

As a leader, every time you talk about values, identity (either corporate identity or a person's identity) and long-term goals, your intention - whether you know it or not - is to inspire.

Use the 5 steps below to inspire your team members.

1. Be the change you want to inspire in others

Your reputation, character and behavior will inspire people more than anything else. The only way to get the best out of those around you is to expect the best from you.

2. Tell a story

The stories do not tell people what to do, but they put their imagination to the test and arouse their emotions. Stories show people what they are capable of becoming or doing.

3. Appeal to people's value system

Ask them to act in a way that is consistent with the values ​​they proclaim.

4. Trust people

When you want to inspire people, you don't tell them exactly what to do or give them clear instructions, but you do give them the strength to be the best, trusting that they will do the right thing. And it is possible that the right thing they will decide to do is not what you would have expected: it may be something that exceeds even the craziest expectations.

5. Challenge them

People are not inspired to do something ordinary or to meet expectations. They are inspired by the effort, creativity and sacrifice needed to go beyond what even they thought possible.

Motivation and inspiration are not the exclusive domain of professional speakers and preachers. They are tools that leaders use all the time - in face-to-face conversations, in meetings and in formal presentations - to bring out the best in the people they work with. You just have to be more discriminating with the help you render toward other people.

When there is an immediate, short-term, specific goal that you want your people to achieve, you need to motivate them. When you want to shape their identity and long-term aspirations and commitments, you need to inspire them.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a French aviator and author of The Little Prince, said: Teach them, instead, to long for the great and endless sea. " Sometimes you have to do both. You just have to be more discriminating with the help you render toward other people. You may be surprised at what they do!