Motivating others by meeting needs

Robert Greenleaf wrote that the servant leader is one who seeks to help followers become "wiser, freer, and more autonomous" and "better able themselves to lead." An important insight for the aspiring leader is to realize a key to organizational success is to help those being led reach their full potential. Much has been written about "investing" in people, about how to train and develop a work force team. But what a leader really needs to understand is what every person needs to be motivated.

The following three keys to personal motivation are critical to success for each of us and those around us:

Three basic needs that lead to motivation
1. autonomy—a sense of control, freedom, and choice over one’s circumstances
2. sense of belonging—a belief that one is significant beyond one’s own self
3. competence—no one wants to feel stupid; instead, we need to feel able to succeed

Keep in mind these basic needs are just that, NEEDS. Not wants, not hopes, but needs. As a leader hopes to inspire, motivate, and serve always consider how to serve other's needs. Help followers to be more autonomous, give them a sense of belonging, and develop their sense of competence.