Motivation Means Presence Not Presents

Let me ask you a quick question; do you have any children? I
don't have any children, however, I appreciate the
challenges that parents face and I'm most reluctant to tell
anyone how to bring up their children.

Whether you do or don't have children, I'm certain you
appreciate the importance of raising them to be happy and
successful.
To do that, you'd take a great deal of interest in them and
what they're doing; show you care about them and give them
lots of your time and attention.

Children show us from an early age that they want lots of
attention. We become aware of this by the way they
physically and emotionally, reach out to us. If we fail to
provide their required level of attention or
acknowledgement, then they'll almost certainly let us know;
usually by behaving badly.

Some parents have difficulty in giving time and attention
and often bribe or pay their children to be successful with
offers of gifts or money. "Pass your exams and I'll buy you
a new bicycle!" However, children want presence not presents
and if they fail to receive their acceptable level of
attention and acknowledgement, then they may behave badly.

Not a lot changes when we become adults; we still crave
attention and acknowledgement from other people. We look for
it from our partners, friends, children, parents and, very
importantly - our boss at work!

Successful Motivational Managers realise this and provide
their staff with attention and acknowledgement.

They spend quality time with every member of their staff,
giving feedback on job performance; be it good or bad.

They listen to problems, both business and personal; they
show interest and help the staff member find solutions

They show that they trust and believe in their staff by
empowering them to make decisions and be responsible for
their actions

Successful Motivational Managers do not bribe or pay their
staff to be successful. Incentives, bonuses and prizes are
all acceptable; however, they will never replace attention
and acknowledgement.

Some food for thought; take a minute and think about someone
in your life who you did your best for. Perhaps it was a
parent, a teacher or a manager. What was it about them that
made you want to do your best; was it presence or presents??
Alan Fairweather, 'The Motivation Doctor,' is an
International Speaker, Author and Sales Growth Expert.
For the past fifteen years, he's been turning 'adequate' Managers, Sales and Customer Service people into consistent top performers.

He is the author of - 'How to be a Motivational Manager'
A down-to-earth guide for Managers and Team Leaders.
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