In my early days as a leader, I believed that all it took to get the best from my team was motivation.
I thought if I could just inspire them enough, they’d overcome any challenge and achieve greatness.
I even felt responsible for helping every struggling team member succeed. If someone wasn’t thriving, I blamed myself and wondered if I wasn’t motivating them enough.
I used to think that with the right pep talk or inspirational speech, I could turn a C-player into an A-player.
However, motivation is not the magical fix I once thought it was. If you’re in the business of inspiring people to work hard, you’re likely spinning your wheels.
Here’s the hard truth: if I have to motivate you to do your job, you’re probably not a good fit for my organization.
My new approach is clear — if I have to push a team member to do what they’re supposed to do, they might not belong here. I’d rather focus on people who are already driven, who come in ready to tackle challenges and ask, “How can I improve?”
It’s not about giving up on those who struggle but about recognizing that some people just don’t have the drive needed to excel.
If an individual isn’t willing to put in the effort consistently, they’re not going to thrive in a high-performance environment. They might be happier working where mediocrity is the norm, and that’s okay.
As leaders, we don’t need to waste our energy trying to change their mindset. Instead, focus on those who are already eager and ready to grow.
I’ve realized that true professionals don’t need constant external motivation. They have the discipline and habits in place to motivate themselves.
John Morgan’s book You Can’t Teach Hungry nails this point. Some people are naturally motivated, like lions, while others are more like sloths. You can’t turn a sloth into a lion just by motivating them to become one.
In the end, I recommend working with people who are naturally driven like this. Surround yourself with lions.
So let’s stop pretending that motivation alone can fix everything. Focus on those who are already motivated, and don’t waste time trying to drag others along. When you do this, you’ll find that your team becomes stronger, more efficient, and more successful.
Remember: you can’t teach hunger. You either have it or you don’t.
