Winning Motivates

I’m convinced that one of the best ways to motivate people is to help them feel like winners.  In reflecting on leaders in my life who have most influenced me and helped me to perform at my highest levels, I’ve come to realize that those who made me feel like a winner helped me to achieve greater results. 

When we feel like winners, and believe others think we are winners, we begin to act like winners.  This is true whether we truly are winners at the time or not.  And to be truthful, I’m sure I didn’t deserve a lot of the accolades given to me by those leaders who helped me feel like a winner.  But because they did it, I began to act and do the things winners do.  I felt their perception of me was positive and I didn’t want to ruin that or let down those who believed in me.  Because these mentors helped me feel like a winner, I was able to further my success as well as theirs. 

Now I am not suggesting that we make a big story up, or deceptively lie to motivate people.  I’m saying as a leader or mentor we look for the good people are doing and find even the small successes and point those out.  And where people are struggling, we offer support and our confidence in them.  Only when we are sincere will others feel like winners and believe it.  I’m also not saying we don’t need critics or even constructive criticism from our leaders.  On the contrary, establishing a level of trust and good feelings will help us coach and lead others by providing the feedback we all need to be a success.

I don’t believe my experiences are unique.  I think we all like to feel like winners and when we do, we want to continue to feel that way by doing those things that winners do.  And as I type this I’m feeling guilty because I can do much better to improve in this area, especially with my family.  I believe as we help others feel like winners, they will rise to our expectations and better reach their potential—and doing this will also help us reach ours.