All managers need to motivate their employees, but many struggle to get it right. Bosses looking to deliver an effective pep talk should explain why the work they are asking people to do is important. How do the employees’ tasks connect to the organization’s purpose? Point out ways your team is making a real difference for customers, the community, or each other. The CEO of a pharmaceutical startup, for example, might say, “I know everyone here wants to help save lives from heart disease. That’s what our work is all about.” Or you can connect your employees’ responsibilities to their personal aspirations. A fast-food restaurant manager could tell teenage workers, “One of our company goals is to provide good, stable jobs so that you have money to help your families and save for college.” Research shows that connecting work to meaning is the toughest part of a pep talk to deliver, but getting it right is essential to motivating your team.
Adapted from "The Science of Pep Talks," by Daniel McGinn
