Motivating

So I started sending my team a weekly motivational email …

January 21, 2018

A few years ago I began the habit of getting up earlier and writing in my journal, taking the time to be reflective, appreciative, and grateful. I gradually felt compelled to share these positive and uplifting stories that I had discovered with others. I decided to start by sending a weekly email to the thirty people on my team at Acceleration Partners. The email was originally called “Friday Inspiration,” and I sent it out each Friday morning to the whole company.

If you could ask Michael Jordan one thing …

December 18, 2017

When he was 16, Frank Ntilikina asked Michael Jordan for the key to his success, and Jordan told the aspiring NBA player the most amazing thing he’d ever heard. 

Push stars to rise even higher

October 5, 2017
As a junior at the University of Florida, first-team All-American Abby Wambach attended a coveted camp for the nation’s best under-21 soccer players. At the camp, she played against a women’s professional league and performed well. Or so she thought.

When you praise, make it count

September 8, 2017
You’ve heard it hundreds of times: Praise employees to reinforce desired action or effort. But there’s a right and wrong way to compliment someone.

George Clooney, master motivator

August 25, 2017
While filming “Up in the Air,” Anna Kendrick struggled to maintain her confidence and sense of belonging. In one sentence George Clooney provided reassurance in spades.

To motivate people older than you, set big goals

August 24, 2017
Q. I manage people much older than me (I’m 29). They really do know more than me, and they have much deeper industry experience than me. I’ve told them that—and that I don’t have all the answers. But when I say that, they laugh derisively. How can I defer to them without coming across as a softie?

Turning garbage into a gold mine

June 15, 2017
It’s hard enough motivating a white-collar workforce. Imagine trying to motivate garbage collectors.

When motivation no longer does the trick

May 23, 2017
Q. For years, we’ve motivated our sales and service folks with incentives. Our culture is built around contests, fun competitions for bonuses or other prizes and recognition. But the last few contests have produced acrimony. Those who don’t win gripe about the rules and resent the winners. Are we motivating the wrong way?

Why your best talent is leaving, and 4 ways to win them back

April 6, 2017

An interesting phenomenon occurs in most organizations. On day one, most employees are fully engaged as these fresh hires are excited to begin a new experience. And yet, according to Metrus Institute, engagement levels drop considerably during the first few years, and often far more than you would expect after a honeymoon period. Clearly something is going on, and most organizations need these four key actions to minimize this degradation of engagement and reboot it to formerly high levels.

Do one more thing

February 8, 2017
When you think you’re done, always do one more thing.