You Can “Motivate” — Or You Can “Inspire”

How to Manage by Empowering Your Juniors to Think like Owners

Motivate means you compel an employee to do something… or else! Investment banking is all about motivating — people don’t like to feel constantly threatened, so no wonder they quit in droves. The money is good; but the negative way of existing feels bad, and ultimately people seek relief.

Inspire means you show enthusiasm and dedication to your firm’s cause. You embody the values of the organization and live it at work and at home. Your colleagues “feel” your connection to your work, and are “inspired” to work with you to serve your clients.

Motivating people involves you constantly needling and micromanaging. It’s a lot of work. The targets of your threats eventually get sick of you.

Inspiring people is effortless. You embody the energy and dedication to the cause. Others elect to join you.

The fear based mind and ego feed on consequence-based thinking “if I don’t win this deal, then I won’t make a bonus and I’ll lose my valuable seat.” Motivating thoughts, but an exhausting narrative.

The inspired mind to focuses on the opportunity and what we can control in the present. It doesn’t spend a lot of time fearing the consequence of failure. By directing all energy to things within our control, and letting go of all the things that are out of our control, the inspired mind most effiently leads us to success over time. And others want to join and help us. It feels good.

How are you existing? If you’re exhausted or burnt out or beaten down, search for the “motivating” forces in your life.

Is it possible to shift your mindset and view to one of “inspiration” — give me a shout if you’re having trouble finding the reframe.

(Thank you to Lance Secretan for teaching me about this very important distinction. I had never considered this powerful difference).

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