How to Inspire People

Motivation Methods

There are three ways to motivate people, but only one of those ways is inspirational. People are motivated by three basic emotions:

• Fear
• Anger
• Desire

Fear as a Motivator

Fear is a negative motivator. People are motivated by fear. That's why politicians, the media, and other pressure groups purposely promote fear in the minds of others to make people act.

But fear is not a positive motivator; it is a negative motivator. People do not thrive when they are fearful. Fear degrades the psyche, and therefore, we should never use fear to motivate people.

Leaders and managers who do use fear to motivate people destroy the minds of their workers. Eventually, they will leave or stop working.

Anger as a Motivator

Anger is another negative motivator. If you can get people angry enough, they will act. Some managers motivate with anger.

Getting angry and shouting at people does motivate them up to a point, but it is a negative motivator. Nobody will stay around angry people for long before they decide to leave.

Desire as a Motivator

Desire is a positive motivator. Desire for a better future, achievement, success, approval, and acceptance. People will work hard for the things they desire. To harness this effectively, consider enhancing your skills through the Personal Development Training Course, which equips you with tools to communicate effectively, achieve goals, and maintain a positive mental attitude.

If you want to motivate people and inspire them, then use positive motivators of desire. Ask people to set goals and help them achieve them. Ask people what they want and try to give it to them. The People Management Skills Training Course can provide you with strategies to set clear goals, manage conflicts, and inspire your team effectively.

In all good relationships, there is a mutual benefit to be gained. I win, you win, we win. If you can create positive motivation by the principle of desire, then you will inspire people. For those in leadership roles, the Inspirational Leadership Training Course offers insights into empowering yourself and others through practical leadership methods.

Summary

Don't motivate people with fear. Don't motivate people with anger. Instead, use desire as your primary motivator because desire is a positive, inspirational emotion that people can live with indefinitely. To further develop your leadership and management capabilities, the Leadership and Management Training Course bridges the gap between technical competence and inspirational leadership. Additionally, new managers can benefit from the First Line Manager Training Course, which provides practical methods for effective management, including planning and communication strategies.

Definition: desire-based motivation

Desire-based motivation is a leadership method that uses people's wish for a better future to drive action. It sets clear, attractive goals, offers praise and help, avoids threat or anger, and aims for shared gain. Because the feeling stays pleasant, effort remains strong and morale stays high.

Article Summary

Fear and anger force short bursts of action, yet desire sparks steady effort and real growth; lead with clear goals, praise and shared reward, and you inspire people to stay, learn and lift results.

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Did You Know: Key Statistics

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Motivation

• What is 'Quiet Quitting'?
  Learn why quiet quitting spreads when culture fails, managers bully or life intrudes, and discover training steps that raise employee engagement and motivation.
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• The Myth of Natural Talent
  Break the natural talent myth: accurate knowledge, 10,000-hour deliberate practice and constant feedback turn ordinary effort into expert performance and growth
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• How to Find Positive Motivation
  Learn six clear steps to build positive motivation: set goals, write an action plan, pick positive people, use role models, boost energy, keep learning daily.
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• Understanding Human Motivation: Fear of Rejection
  Learn why fear of rejection evolved, how it stops job moves and pay rise asks, and get clear brain-based tips to beat rejection fear and act with calmconfidence
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• How to Motivate Yourself and Others
  Learn how to motivate yourself and others by asking eight goal-setting questions. Shift focus to a better future, spark emotions and gain clarity of purpose.
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