The more experience we gain in leading others, the more we realize that motivation is key in developing our team to make the most of each other’s skills. It is an arrow that is continually held in our leadership quiver to ensure we shoot toward an environment conducive to high productivity and open creativity. However, pushing past a lack of motivation is imperative not just for our employees, but also for us. Here are 10 quotes from some of history’s most dynamic leaders to help motivate you to stand out in the crowd and separate yourself from the rest.
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then, you have to play better than anyone else. – Albert Einstein
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you. – Thomas Jefferson
Well done is better than well said. – Benjamin Franklin
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. – Ayn Rand
Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones. – Theodore Roosevelt
Things do not happen. Things are made to happen. – John F. Kennedy
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. – Henry David Thoreau
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Mark Twain
If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success. – John D. Rockefeller
You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do. – Henry Ford
What are some of your favorite quotes to help motivate you to be proactive? How have you motivated your staff? Let us know in the comments section below!
It can be frustrating as a leader when your team appears to lack motivation. Sometimes using a motivational quote can help provide a jazz. The trick is to use a quote promptly and have it be relatable.