Leadership and Management Development
The ability to self-motivate; self-manage; to develop self-confidence and personal initiative
Your leader managers need to develop six fundamental skills sets, if they are to be effective in their roles.
They are as follows:
- To set and achieve your goals.
- To communicate clearly.
- To manage time and prioritise, and delegate work.
- To manage conflict and handle difficult people.
- To create and sustain a positive mental attitude, especially during tough times.
- To inspire others and create a positive, productive atmosphere.
Let us here look at item five on the list. The ability to self-motivate: self-manage; to develop self-confidence and personal initiative.
It is the role of the leader manager to act as the standard bearer for the team atmosphere. It is the leader manager who sets the tone of the team.
- If the tone is too flat, then the team is demotivated.
- If the tone is too sharp, then the team feels ill at ease.
- If the tone is just right, the team feels in harmony with itself and plays like a concert orchestra, each section playing its part in the whole symphony.
The leader manager is like the concert conductor who coordinates and harmonises the players and motivates them to keep going during without missing a beat, even during the most difficult conditions. But the question is who motivates the motivator.
Who inspires the inspirer?
Answer; nobody. The leader motivates her-self.
How does the leader motivate him-self herself?
In the following way.
The leader manages the contents of his-her own mind.
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The leader manages the contents of his-her own mind
In relation to emotional management, the one thing to remember is this phrase:
"You feel whatever you think about".
"You feel whatever you think about". This means:
- Your feelings are not dictated by outside circumstances.
- Your feelings are not dictated by outside events.
- Our feelings are not dictated by what other people say to you.
Your feelings are dictated by the thoughts that you allow to dominate in your mind. And you, dear reader, are the only person who can control what thoughts you allow to dominate in your own mind.
You are the final arbiter of the contents of your own mind and therefore you, dear reader, are the final arbiter on how you feel, in any moment in time.
If you control the content of your mind, then you can control your feelings. If you don't control the content of your mind then you cannot control your feelings.
Leaders need to understand this fundamental concept and work with it.
They need to take control of the content of their minds and turn away from all thoughts of defeat, and onto all thoughts consistent with the goal, the plan and the actions necessary to achieve it.
- Thus the leader can then manage the content of his-her language.
- The leader manager operates according to his plan, not his mood.
This is the fundamental step in self-management. Manage first the content of your own mind. Direct your mind to focus on the goal, the plan, the action, and the changes that are necessary to achieve the goal. Keep your mind off thoughts of defeat, of disaster, of fear, of failure of anger or bitterness over past events.
- You must master yourself before you can master circumstances.
- You must master your mind if you want to master yourself.
Master your own mind.
This is the fifth step in the leader managers skills set.
Now you can master your own mind, you can control how you feel, and therefore you can control your language.
If you can control your own mind, feelings and language, then you are in a great position to manage the emotions of others.
Managing the emotions of others, inspiring others, is the sixth and final step in the list leadership and management fundamentals.
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Definition: leadership self motivation
Leadership self motivation is a business skill where a manager generates drive from within, locks thoughts onto clear goals, keeps steady action during hardship, and controls feelings to give the team a confident, upbeat tone that supports high morale and long-term success.
Show CG4D Definition
- The drive springs from the leader’s own thoughts, not outside rewards or pressure
- The leader focuses thinking on the team’s goals and plans
- The leader maintains purposeful action even when conditions are tough
- The leader manages personal emotions to project a positive climate for others
Article Summary
Master your mind first, and self motivation, self confidence and team energy follow; the thoughts you choose shape your mood and the results your people deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why is self-motivation vital for a leader?
How can I manage my own mind during stress?
What is the link between thoughts and feelings at work?
How does a leader’s mood affect team motivation?
What is the first step in self-management?
How can a manager keep a positive attitude in tough times?
Can mastering myself help me inspire others?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace report says teams led by managers who rate high for self-motivation and clear goals show 21% higher productivity than teams with low-score managers. LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report notes that 82% of UK organisations plan to increase spending on leadership courses that build emotional control and self-confidence in the next 12 months.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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