Making, Minding, and Maintaining Motivation

Greetings teacher friends! It's great to have you back for this blog post! This month, inSpiration Sunday has been centered around the concept of motivation. I've been reading, listening about, and discussing this topic lately, which is why I wanted to reflect on it here. 

For the longest time, I wanted to learn how I can motivate the leadership teams I belong to and lead. I have been eager to learn how I can show them the changes and vision I see, and why it would benefit the group as well the goals we have. I want to be the kind of leader that helps others on the team feel valued, appreciated, and want to work. 

The podcasts I've been listening to by John Maxwell (The Leader Who Motivates) have changed the way I view motivation. I've also been learning a lot in my Literacy Leadership Mentorship as we read the book High Road Leadership by John. I see that leaders first have to be motivated themselves in order to influence others. It's important as leaders we find what we are most passionate about and then (As John says,) know the way, go the way, and show the way. If others don't see my motivation in the group, I can't expect them to see it in my place. I've learned that accountability is a part of this too because leaders don't just hold others accountable, but themselves.

Perhaps the biggest thing I've learned through my self- study has been that it's really not about what I want or see for the group, at least not all the time. Sure, I have a vision and passion for the work and where I want my groups to go, and that's fine! Good leaders will have that vision and help others to understand it. Great leaders will help others discover what motivates them, and link the two together. 

Being a special education teacher since 2008 has "trained" me to believe that if I lead the horse to water and show him the water, model how to drink it, explain why water is good, and help accommodate him to reach it, it doesn't mean he'll drink. I have to find what makes him thirsty! For me, I know what I "thirst" for; and I know what I need to do to drink. For example, I am passionate about literacy, and ensuring that all students have access to high quality literacy instruction. This is what makes me thirsty! When I sit with other leaders and they ask me to help or participate in anything related to literacy, I'm hooked! They know what motivates me. 

As teacher leaders, what can we do to get to know the people with whom we work and lead so we can find what makes them "thirsty" and want to work? What can we personally do to grow and learn about motivation to help us lead better? Let's make an effort this week to reflect, learn, and build relationships with others so we can relate to those on our teams, and let them discover the leader inside. When we help others harness their talents and motivation inside, only positive work and creativity will shine on the outside. As Jim Rhon shared "motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going." Let's make finding what motivates others our habit and watch as it all comes full circle. Those who are motivated will show up, and not just show up, but be fully present. That's what's going to make the difference we need in our field! 

Final thoughts: Keep finding what motivates you and start to build that before you try and motivate others. Keep in mind that in order to motivate others, you need to discover what they are motivated about. Keep encouraging others to discover within themselves and then motivate others, and finally,  keep looking for the amazing changes that happen when you start this "wheel" of motivation! You won't be disappointed in the results! 

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