My First Lesson in Motivation: Learning from Luther

By Gary Thomson, Andersen Alumnus and currently a Managing Director at Thomson Consulting

My father-in-law, Luther, has significantly impacted me and my career and this article gives you some insight into why he has been my motivational mentor from a business standpoint. Luther, a father of four daughters, opted to leave behind the security of a regular paycheck to pursue his dream of entrepreneurship despite the risks involved. His venture into starting his own fencing business proved to be a resounding success, driven by a level of motivation unmatched by others, me included. As a young high school and college student working for him, I was both intrigued and challenged by his perspective. This curiosity led to a conversation where I questioned his frustration with others' lack of motivation. Surprisingly, this prompted a moment of reflection. He told me that he realized if his employees were as motivated as him, they wouldn't be working for him—they'd be forging their own paths just as he did.It's that kind of realization that while we want to expect more from others, we need to understand the people who work for us may not have the same drive as us, and that's okay. The question is, how do we motivate them to maximize their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses?

Identify and Leverage Strengths

The first step is to identify what our people are doing, what they are good at, and how to leverage it. Focus on your people's strengths rather than their weaknesses. By acknowledging and valuing what each person excels at, we can strategically align their skills with the organization's goals. This cultivates a sense of ownership and pride, driving their motivation to do better. Establishing clear boundaries and expectations further empowers employees, providing them with a structured framework within which they can contribute in meaningful ways.

Clarity Around Mission, Vision, and Values

It is essential for leaders to ensure clarity on their organization’s vision and goals and how everyone fits into it. When everyone knows the organization is headed in a clear direction, they will more than likely be motivated to be a part of that future and contribute to getting there. When people don't know what the future holds or how they are going to get there, uncertainty sets in, leading to a lack of motivation.

Recognize and Reward

Celebrating people's wins is a major motivational tool. Why would people want to go above and beyond if no one else cares that they do? When people feel like they are a part of something bigger than them and are recognized for their contributions to the bigger picture, they will likely be more motivated to do better.

Organization Culture

Are you building an organizational culture emphasizing the negative and what people are not doing, or are you maximizing your people's uniqueness? Understanding what your people want is part of developing an organizational culture that drives motivation. This goes back partially to having clarity around your mission, vision, and values, but also recognizes that your team will be more motivated to do better when they are getting what they want out of their career. Whether it be growth opportunities, work/life balance, security, etc., understanding what your team truly wants and values has never been more critical than it is today.

A fundamental truth in leadership and business management is that understanding and harnessing our team's diverse motivations and strengths is paramount. In recognizing that while not everyone shares the same drive, everyone contributes uniquely toward the collective goal. By leveraging strengths, ensuring clarity around mission, vision, and values, celebrating successes, and fostering a culture that values each member's uniqueness, we can create an environment where motivation flourishes, and business thrives.

So, a tip of the cap to my father-in-law who, by example, taught me many important business and practical lessons. Thanks Luther!

If I can help you or your firm with change management feel free to reach out to me gary@thomsonconsulting.com