Motivation fades. Commitment lasts.
Lectures and speeches, no matter how powerful, often fade as quickly as the next urgent task on the to-do list.
As leaders, we may credit ourselves for polished words, strong delivery, and the energy we brought into the room. But the truth is—energy dissipates fast.
Think back to the last motivational speech or senior’s lecture that truly moved you. Those moments are rare.
So the real question is: how do leaders sustain motivation in their people?
The answer lies in a simple principle—losing ourselves in the service of those we lead.
- Instead of telling them what to do, ask what they will do to reach the outcome → Commitment.
- Instead of presenting our innovative ideas, let them name the ideas as their own → Ownership.
- Instead of dictating deadlines, invite them to announce the dates → Visibility.
True motivation doesn’t come from manipulation or speeches. It comes when people own the task, commit to the goal, and put in the extra effort—because it is theirs.
