Note: This is the 2nd post in our Change is Good series
I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone
-Bill Cosby
Think about your employees in the various departments of your company. I bet there's at least one leader in each department. Not necessarily the manager (actually, probably not), but everyone knows that this person is experienced, and knows what they're talking about.
Don't worry about trying to motivate every single one of your employees. Focus on the leaders. Convince them of what an asset they are to your organization. Tell them that everyone respects their opinion, and you'd love it if they took charge and tried to set an example. Who wouldn't love hearing that?
Forget lighting a fire under them. Light a fire inside them. You'll be amazed how fast the rest of the crew falls in line, and then you'll have a well-oiled machine on your hands.
Think about this. Is your company as a whole greater than the sum of its parts? Or is there a lose cog, or squeaky hinge somewhere?