Motivation and discipline are two things you’re going to need out of your team members in any successful organization. Unfortunately, in our modern world, it can seem like we’re all about the quick fix and fast results instead of staying the course for the duration.
We rush to post our thoughts on whatever social media app is hot at the moment. We look for the fastest way to lose weight (especially when we see bathing suit season coming), and it feels like whatever is happening on the news that night is the most important thing that has EVER happened.
It’s not hard to be motivated in the moment since motivation has to do with the “why” we do something. It’s more important to be disciplined for the long haul because discipline is the “how” we do something. As I work with senior-level executives, I see many who sometimes forget to make sure their team is disciplined long before it is motivated.
One of my favorite authors is Stephen Covey, who wrote the famous The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He said: “Only the disciplined are truly free. The undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites, and passions.”
I learned this lesson from my father, German Pizarro, who was a baseball coach and umpire in the 1960s. He always told me, “I would rather have a team that is highly disciplined than a team that is highly motivated.”
Sure, his team could easily get excited for a big game when the playoffs were near, but that’s true of every team.
For my father discipline meant that the team members could consistently drop a bunt down the third base line or hit the cut-off man on a relay throw from the outfield 10-out-of-10 times; even if it was an early season game with only a handful of people in the stands.
So, if you find yourself leading a team that is looking just for the short-term reward or only seems to know how to pull itself together at the most “important” moments, here are a few tips for building a well-disciplined team:
Lead by example
Don’t ask for anything you wouldn’t be willing to do yourself. The effectiveness of your team will have a lot to do with how they view you. Expecting them to demonstrate self-discipline begins with you modeling that behavior.
Expect decisions to be made
Foster an environment where people are comfortable to make decisions based on the information, resources and priorities at hand. You should not be the only person making decisions. A team that knows how to be decisive is a team that has an easier time with self-discipline, both collectively and as individuals.
Create a daily and weekly schedule
While it may kill your reputation as the wacky, fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants exec, you don’t want to be that person. It’s been proven in study after study that people are more effective when they set – and stick to – a routine. Knowing what is to be expected and when it will happen may seem minor, but it will lead to increased productivity. Make sure to schedule time for breaks as well.
Keep multi-tasking to a minimum
It may seem counterintuitive if you’re in a particularly busy office space, but multitasking is wrought with temptations and distractions. Part of discipline is doing the best job possible. That’s not going to happen if too many things are being handled at one time. Imagine three people telling you a joke at the same time. Can you repeat all three jokes after you’ve heard them? Of course not. You probably can’t tell one of them. Now imagine hearing all three jokes one after another. Will you retain more information and do a better job retelling the jokes? The same principle applies for all multitasking.
Listen to your body
All hours are not created equal. You know if you do your best work at the start of the day or at the end. Your team members have rhythms, too. Figure out a way to focus on your individual work when you’re at your best and save the meetings for those lower-energy moments when collaboration is more necessary.
Encourage communication
Nothing is going to upset a system quicker than a lack of communication. Your team should know your expectations, but also feel free to discuss issues as they arise. Treat your team as adults and equals, not like a teacher running a classroom. Open communication will create a happier, healthier and more focused workplace.
If you can create an environment where every day feels important and the input of all team members is seen as valued, neither they nor you will have to manufacture motivation when the time calls for it.
Motivation is not a bad thing and we all need it, especially on those days when the bed is warm and the alarm feels like it rang earlier than it should have.
Motivation is what gets us out of the bed. Discipline is what keeps us from going back.
A motivated team will win the “big” game…if they get there. A disciplined team will win the “big” game because they won all of the games that lead up to the “big” game. In looking at the situation closely, aren’t they all big games?
If YOU are ready to shift from motivation into discipline, let’s have a conversation. Contact me to schedule a complimentary consultation at http://maricarmenpizarro.com/contact-mari-carmen/
