What does motivational ability mean in a leadership context?
Motivational ability describes the ability to recognize one’s own drives, actively use them, and maintain them over the long term.
For managers, this means not only setting goals, but also pursuing them with clarity and conviction, even when setbacks occur.
Example: Airbnb founder Brian Chesky motivated his team during the early financial crisis with personal stories and a clear vision for the platform. Despite great uncertainty, employees remained committed and helped lead Airbnb to success.
Key factors in motivational skills for managers
Factor 1: Clear visions and strategic goals
Entrepreneurial motivation stems from a clear vision.
Managers who have a clear picture of the company’s goals and communicate the reasoning behind their decisions not only boost their own motivation, but also inspire their team.
Example: Tesla, under Elon Musk, is known for its clear mission: to promote sustainable energy and electric mobility. This vision motivates not only Musk himself, but also engineers and teams worldwide to deliver above-average performance.
Factor 2: Self-efficacy and decision-making authority
The conviction that one can make the right decisions strengthens motivation and the ability to take risks.
Example: Amazon and Jeff Bezos rely on quick, bold decisions, even if they involve risks. Employees see that their managers act confidently and are motivated to implement innovative solutions.
Factor 3: Emotional intelligence in leadership
Emotional competence is crucial for maintaining motivation—both your own and that of your employees.
Example: Starbucks pursues a strong culture of employee retention. Howard Schultz, former CEO, focused early on open communication and regular feedback, which increased employee motivation and loyalty.
Factor 4: Supportive environment and corporate culture
A network of partners, mentors, and a strong team contributes significantly to motivation.
Example: Google promotes innovation through an open working environment, flexible projects, and teamwork. Employees are encouraged to contribute their own ideas (“20% time initiative”), which increases motivation and creativity.
Factor 5: Structure, routines, and reward systems
Entrepreneurial success often comes from consistently taking small steps.
Example: Microsoft, under Satya Nadella, implemented new feedback and recognition systems. Regular recognition of successes and transparent targets significantly increased employee motivation.
Skills for motivational ability
Certain skills are crucial for managers to sustainably promote their own motivation and that of their team:
1st skill: Self-reflection
Self-reflection means the ability to clearly recognize your own goals, values, and motivations.
Example: A CEO regularly checks whether projects are still in line with the company’s vision and adjusts goals as necessary.
2nd skill: Communication skills
Communication skills mean communicating visions and goals clearly, transparently, and in an inspiring way.
Example: At Spotify, company goals are explained clearly in team meetings so that every employee knows how their contribution supports the big picture.
3rd skill: Empathy and emotional intelligence
This competence describes understanding and sensitivity to the needs of the team.
Example: A team leader at Starbucks recognizes frustration in the team after a failed project and supports the employees constructively instead of assigning blame.
4th skill: Decision-making ability
Decision-making ability means having the courage to make clear decisions even in uncertain situations.
Example: Tesla opts for groundbreaking technologies even when there are risks involved, which motivates the team to develop innovative solutions.
5th skill: Coaching and leadership skills
This competence is about specifically promoting employees, recognizing their potential, and increasing motivation.
Example: Netflix gives employees a high degree of personal responsibility and offers continuous training opportunities, which promotes intrinsic motivation.
6th skill: Resilience and perseverance
This competence describes the ability to maintain motivation even in difficult phases.
Example: Jeff Bezos led Amazon through early losses and setbacks without losing sight of the long-term vision.
Practical strategies for entrepreneurs with real-life examples
1st strategy: Communicate goals at all levels
At Spotify, corporate goals are broken down into teams and individual tasks so that every employee can see how they are contributing.
2nd strategy: Self-motivation as a role model
Elon Musk often works with engineers on product innovations at Tesla and SpaceX, which inspires teams and increases motivation.
3rd strategy: Targeted promotion of employee potential
Netflix focuses on a high degree of personal responsibility, individual development, and talent promotion, which strengthens the intrinsic motivation of its employees.
4th strategy: Develop resilience
After setbacks in product development, Amazon remains flexible, systematically analyzes mistakes, and launches new projects with motivation.
5th strategy: Implement rewards and recognition
Salesforce regularly holds recognition events for teams that have achieved or exceeded company goals, which increases motivation and commitment.
Conclusion
Motivational skills are a key competence for entrepreneurs and managers.
They influence not only your own performance, but also the energy, focus, and satisfaction of the entire team.
Those who consciously develop their own motivational skills and train the right competencies can pursue sustainable business goals, inspire employees, and create a culture in which performance and commitment grow.
Motivation is not a coincidence—it is a strategic tool that can be used in a targeted manner to achieve long-term success.
More on the topic of employee motivation
- Everything you need to know about employee motivation!
- How can you measure the motivation of your employees
- 10 tips for increasing employee motivation
- 10 examples and methods for motivating your employees
- 6 Consequences of a lack of employee motivation
- Employee motivation through leadership: approaches and strategies
