Motivating Your Group

To the extent that you give others what they want, they will give you what you want. The secret is: You must give others what they want first. What do people want from an organization? Money? Personal Benefits? No. They want to feel needed and satisfied.

Accomplishment- Members want to make real contributions to the group. Delegate meaningful jobs that match each member's skills and interests. Members' accomplishments outside of the organization reflect well on you also. Acknowledge and praise all kinds of accomplishments -- frequently and publicly.

Importance - Make your members feel like they are important. Use their names as often as possible. Titles help to build prestige in jobs.

Communication - Staying informed (having the "inside information") gives people a feeling of importance. Listening to your members seriously is also a powerful motivator -- you never know who is going to come up with the idea or the solution you've looked for! Mutual understanding and two-way communication help facilitate motivation.

Security - People need leadership security and people-to-people security. Members look to you and your organization for a sense of belonging, and a sense of being a part of something bigger than themselves.

People Need Belief - Some say that the ability to believe in what you are doing is the strongest source of motivation there is. Psychologists have found that people will work the hardest for something in which they can believe.

People Need You - People need personal satisfaction. When you give them what they want, they will give you what you want.