MAKING PEOPLE YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THROUGH MOTIVATIONAL LEADERSHIP BY: FRANCIS G. MUHINDI FOUNDER & CEO - MANPOWER SERVICES GROUP

Motivation is one word which is apparently simple and yet very complex. Simple because of the definition and the understanding of the word. To motivate is to positively incline or induce or cause people to be inwardly happy, willing, eager and satisfied in the tasks they perform and are willing to perform even without supervision.

The complex nature of the word “motivation” is defining what exactly causes or induces motivation especially in a work place. Some people believe a good salary motivates. Yes, but it is only an aspect of motivation. Let us examine in a complex sense, how you can motivate people. 1. Motivate through your own self management & discipline

2. Motivate through understanding human behaviour and utilizing that knowledge to help you manage individuals & teams better. For example, human beings are naturally against change especially sudden change in the way they work or live. Knowing they are normally suspicious of change, you should explain & sell the benefits of change before forcing change on the staff.

3. Motivate through understanding (each) individual. Some people like to be praised more than others. Others like high sounding titles and would prefer such “Rank” titles such as boss than a little salary increase.

4. Motivate by calling people by name, rather than ‘ERO’, OR ‘I SAY’ 5. Motivate by ensuring job satisfaction for individuals & teams 6. Motivate through training staff 7. Motivate through delegating 8. Motivate through evaluation 9. Motivate through effective communications & feedback

10. Motivate through trust 11. Motivate through flexibility, by sometimes bending the rule slightly for the benefit of deserving case, e.g. granting emergency off although the rules say working hours are 8.00 am – 5.00 pm 12. Motivate teams by recognizing their informal leaders

13. Motivate teams by avoiding psycophants / spies / & favourites 14. Motivate b impartially disciplining all wrong doers 15. Motivate even wrong doers by telling them off privately 16. Motivate by praising deserving staff & deeds publicly for all to hear

17. Motivate by recognizing the talent of intelligent high fliers instead of fearing them. 18. Motivate through being human, by sympathising with suffering staff in the even of sickness or death of loved ones. 19. Motivate through symbolic recognition such as “THANK YOU” WELL DONE”.

20. Motivate through proper task & objective setting to avoid staff feeling “LOST”. 21. Motivate by maintaining consistent known standards of quality, quantity etc. 22. Motivate by listening, showing interest and responding fast to enquiries, problems, etc.

23. Motivate through teamwork & task sharing. 24. The people you found there – assess them. Transform them as necessary. 25. The people – recruit carefully avoiding warning signs 26. Retention policy to avoid high staff turnover 27. Body language talks! Make it right!