Motivation is everything. “Win one for the Gipper,” comes from a speech Knute Rockne gave to his Notre Dame football players during halftime while playing against the undefeated Army in 1928. Knute was trying to salvage the worst record of his football coaching career.
Notre Dame went on to win the game. “Win one for the Gipper” became part of Americana when Ronald Reagan uttered this line in the movie Knute Rockne – All American. Reagan became known as the Gipper and went on to use this line during his presidential campaigns.
Motivation… Satisfaction
Although motivation leads to satisfaction, satisfaction is much different than motivation. And motivators are much different than discouragers. “How do I get an employee to do what I want?” is the topic of many articles, books, and speeches. This is the wrong question.
The question is, “How do I capture a piece, albeit a small piece, of an employee’s heart?” Leadership is the ability to achieve your ideas by having them adopted as “my ideas” by an individual, or a group, or a country.
No Ass Kicking Involved
Motivation is not a kick in the ass. The desired outcome may be achieved, but you haven’t got heart or loyalty. Motivation takes:
- An inspiring vision;
- A path of ascension;
- Tools and skills for accomplishment; and
- Belief
“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious.” – Vince Lombardi