Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenge of inspiring a team when one lacks the energy to do so. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between inspiration and motivation, advocating for a shift in focus from being an inspirational leader to a motivating one. Christa discusses the significance of creating a motivating environment and the role of employee engagement in achieving organizational success. She also provides valuable resources for further exploration of workplace motivation and performance.

Key Takeaways

• We can't inspire people when we don't have the energy (inspiration is about energy!!).
• Aim to be a motivating leader, not just inspirational.
• Learn what motivates your team members individually.
• Creating a motivating environment leads to better performance.
• Soft skills in leadership are really hard (!) and crucial for success.
• Discretionary effort is a sign of employee engagement.
• Beware of expecting extra effort without factors that motivate the extras.
• Resources can enhance understanding of workplace motivation.

Additional Resources:

Vo, T. T. D., Tuliao, K. V., & Chen, C. (2022). Work motivation: the roles of individual needs and social conditions. Behavioral Sciences, 12(2), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12020049
* Reader notes: I recommend the full read, but for the most focused sections to learn more from this episode: review Section 1: Introduction; Section 2.1: Work Motivation: A Conceptual Background; Section 5: Discussion; Section 7: Conclusions.

Gallup, Inc. (2021, June 28). Organizational Performance | Gallup topic. https://www.gallup.com/topic/organizational-performance.aspx

Gallup, Inc. (2025, April 18). How to improve employee engagement in the workplace - Gallup. Gallup.com. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspx

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