How to motivate colleagues - Top Tips

How do you motivate colleagues?

This page presents a reflective Top Tip checklist about how you can motivate people.  It could be a useful reflective activity to use at the beginning or end of a school year, or as you approach a major leadership project.

How do you evaluate yourself against these tips?

Advice from others

The following quotes are taken from leaders and provide advice on how they motivate their staff. They could be used a form of reflection using a Quotes that speak to me protocol. You could also collect your own as a school. The quotes are taken from an article on 14 highly effective ways to motivate employees.

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist)

"Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

"If you let them know you trust and depend on them, they will fill those shoes sooner than you think. A vote of confidence can go a long way. Let them know you trust them to do the best job possible and they will rarely disappoint you. Try it."  (Ayelet Noff, Blonde 2.0)

"I am very open with employees about what's happening at the highest level so there are no surprises and everyone has a chance to ask questions and give feedback. I want employees to feel included in big decisions and committed to the direction our company takes. This has helped to sustain motivation and increased company loyalty and pride." (Martina Welke, Zealyst)

"Ask what they do and don't like working on, share the big picture company goals, and respond to their questions. Discern their goals and then invest in their professional growth. During one-on-one check-ins, listen to their ideas, because they're the best at what they do. Respect their personal schedules and non-work time, and don't ever pit their goals/timelines against each other." (Heather McGough, Lean Startup Company)

"It's amazing how a simple "please" and "thank you" fares with employees. We simply speak to staff the way we would want to be spoken to. We also have an open-door policy when it comes to suggestions and ideas. When employees feel that their voice matters, they in turn feel confident about their positions in the company and that they have more at stake than just a paycheck."  (Justin Beegal, Infographic World Inc.)

"Motivating employees is not just about giving them vacation time-it's about showing them they make a difference and are valued. Every time we have a meeting, whether large or small, we let a different team member lead the conversation and the topics discussed. Not only can they share their opinions and be heard this way, but they are motivated to make their words and ideas happen afterwards." (Miles Jennings, Recruiter.com)

"It's important that employees understand the bigger picture and can see how what they are doing in the moment will eventually contribute to an end goal. Give them tasks and projects to work on and make sure they understand how this fits into the big picture. Talented employees will go above and beyond what you expect of them." (Brian David Crane, Caller S,art Inc.)

Advice from Simon Sinek

In the following video Simon Sinek gives 8 pieces of advice on how to keep motivated yourself

  • Grow your strength
  • Be vulnerable
  • Don't give up
  • Be the idiot
  • Inspire people
  • Have worthy rivals
  • Love what you do
  • Allow positive disruption


"I like these resources, because it seems to have one thing in common: be authentic, humble and serve others in order to motivate. If you care about others and bring it to the relational, then the team will go forward. This motivates me to not give up - because the dream of what IB can be in our school community gives me hope. When I work with others and take time to form relationships, then all our dreams can come true." (Tanya Vandserven, IB coordinator, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

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