Let's be honest...if you lead people, you probably have someone on your team that just doesn't seem to care. 

At. All. 

The person that shows up late. Does just enough not to get fired. They're physically there, but mentally they're totally checked out. 

Perhaps you've tried everything to get them fired up to do their job...coached, threatened, free food, begged, maybe even prayed over them, with the same "ugh" results.

After working with thousands of leaders (of all levels) in my career, here's what I've learned:

It's not that people are lazy, they just don't have the "juice" on the inside to fuel them up to be their very best. And no 3% raise on their paycheck, lame pizza party or corrective action talk is going to change that. 

This is where a lot of managers give up trying, taking on the work themselves. But, if you've read to this point, you're not like other managaers, so try this:

One: Motivate With Meaning

No one dreams of filing endless work orders, picking up cigarette butts, getting yelled at because Amazon didn't deliver a package, or having to answer the same question on back-to-back-to-back tours.

But most people do want to feel like what they do matters.

They want to feel like they matter.

• "You're not just leasing apartments. You're helping people get a fresh start."
  
• "You're not just answering the phone. You're someone's first impression of home."
• "I know speaking with Millie feels draining, but you might be the one person that pays attention to her in her day. What a difference you can make by just listening to her. 

When people believe their work means something  they show up differently.

Two: Raise the Bar With Relationship

Here's a truth bomb from years working with people...

People live up (or down) to the expectations you set. If you treat someone like they're a problem, they'll act like one. But if you look them in the eye and say, "I know there's more in you than what I'm seeing right now…", you might just unlock the door to something special in them, on your team and in you too!

It's not about being harsh or "corporate" with them. (We definitely don't need more corporate in our lives!)

It's about having the heart to believe in someone before they believe in themselves, until they believe in themselves. 

Three: Mind the Mirror

This one might sting, but I'm going to say it anyway. YOU might be the reason your people are lifeless at work. You might be the reason they're frustrated, lost, confused, tired, or fearful. I remember when a mentor of mine looked at me and said, "Rommel, YOUR best thinking got you in the mess you're in." Ouch. 

And. He. Was. Right. 

Are you willing to do the work you need to do to help your team do their's? 

Stop This and Start This

Motivation isn't just a "you" thing or a "them" thing. It's a we thing. 

• Stop scolding, start speaking to their hearts. 
  
• Stop waiting for them to raise their bar, start raising your bar.
• Stop shaming, start inspiring.