When times are difficult, leaders need to have the energy to inspire their teams while staying motivated themselves. If a leader feels unmotivated, the effects can extend to the entire organization, according to associationsnow.com.
Emily Golden, a certified coach, speaker and career performance expert, has a few tips for how leaders can find inspiration and where they can look for help.
- Develop a workplace support system. Leaders sometimes feel disconnected from their colleagues, and isolation can hinder motivation. Some also may believe asking for help is a sign of weakness. Leaders can look to individuals such as executive coaches and leaders in other organizations for support.
- Ensure your basic needs are met. Leaders often neglect their personal health and well-being when they are working to drive their organizations during difficult times, and this can lead to burnout and a loss of motivation. Taking care of your own needs—exercising, drinking enough water, getting sufficient sleep—makes you a better leader.
- Envision where you want you and your organization to be in the future, and be clear about how to achieve your vision. This offers a guide to success, even when you struggle with a lack of motivation.
- Seek out opportunities to do the work you love. There likely are certain tasks that excite you more than others; identify those tasks and find ways to do that type of work more often.
- Make sure you find joy outside of work. Leaders may believe they need to devote themselves completely to their jobs to fulfill their responsibilities. But you can boost your motivation and inspiration by finding meaning outside of work with activities you enjoy.
