Leaders Create a Reservoir of Motivation
Midshipman Second Class Wilson wanted to become a Marine Corps officer since his sophomore year at the U.S. Naval Academy and was yearning for the challenge of Officer Candidate School (OCS). He was looking forward to being motivated by the officers and drill instructors from OCS. During one of the mentoring sessions held by the platoon’s company officer, a few members asked why they never sang cadences while running. The officer’s response was simple, direct, and made a point that stuck with Wilson for the rest of his life. The officer said, “Above all else, Marine Corps officers are leaders. As leaders, no one will ever motivate you to keep going in the face of adversity and hardship. Officers have to be able to self-motivate to keep themselves inspired and focused on the mis- sion. Cadences would serve to help motivate you, and you must find your own way.”
Following his military service, Wilson began a career in the FBI as a special agent. Shortly thereafter, on Father’s Day, he received a leather-bound, blank journal with a photo- graph of his children on the inside. Not a diary or journal type of guy, Wilson thought, What am I ever going to do with this?
A few days later, he became frustrated with a current project that he could not seem to make any progress with. As Wilson sat at his desk, he reached into his briefcase for a pen and came across the journal his children had given him. He took it out and looked at the photograph of his smiling children. He had an immediate boost of enthusiasm and morale and decided to use the journal as a personal motivator and inspirational tool. He began inserting into the journal a few photographs of close family and friends, flattering and inspirational e-mails and letters, and any remarkable event that happened either at work or in his private life. His only rule for the journal was that all of the content must be motivational and inspiring. The journal became a repository of positive thoughts and experiences. Adding material and writings in the journal proved extremely self-motivating. Reviewing and reading all of the positive thoughts and affirmations in it became a facilitator for self- motivation.
Leaders often face a multitude of issues and problems that can dampen their motivation. But, by examining their strengths and what makes them truly happy, they can reflect better on their weaknesses through honest self- examination. This can help them work more effectively on their deficient areas and strengthen them as appropriate.
Leadership is not about taking but always about giving. Strong leaders will have a powerful reservoir of motivation and solid tools in place that they can utilize to refill that reservoir without ever taking anything from anyone else.
