The No-Cost Way to Motivate -- Management Guru Patrick Lencioni shares a powerful yet simple strategy
October 14, 2009
Patrick Lencioni is the author of "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" and many other books on leadership and teamwork.
Lencioni has a new article on motivation over at BusinessWeek.com:
"Now listen to me, all of you. You are all condemned men. We keep you alive to serve this ship. So row well, and live." Those were the words of Quintus Arrius in the movie Ben-Hur. And while he was speaking to Roman slaves, one can almost imagine a modern version coming from a manager today. "O.K., people, you all know that unemployment is at a 50-year high. You're lucky to have jobs. So work hard, and no more complaining."
Lost amid the justifiable concern about the 9.7% of U.S. workers who are unemployed is the well-being of the other 90.3%, many of whom are miserable. They feel they're out of options and that management has little incentive to make their work lives more meaningful.
Even well-intentioned managers—as most are—feel their hands are now tied when it comes to motivating and engaging their workers. Salaries are stagnant. Perks and benefits are only going to get slimmer. What can they do?
CLICK HERE to continue reading the article.
Tom.
This area of aynonimity that lencioni speaks of is being seen greater than ever. Effective companies that know that in 1 to 2 years when we are back at a decent employment rate know that miserable people are poached off by competitors.
Team members remember the misery and feeling of bondage that companies who hold the "where are they going to go" hammer over their head.
Focus on learning and finding relevence in peoples lives and they will stick with the company in good times and bad.
Posted by: michael cardus | October 15, 2009 at 08:31 AM