Commentary -- Avoiding de-motivation

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Michelle Pryor
  • 3rd Flying Training Squadron commander
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  I was recently packing up my household goods and came across a book on leadership I received years ago from one of my mentors. While flipping through the pages, I ran across a quote that made me think.

It went something like this, "It is not a leader's job to motivate people, but rather to avoid de-motivating them." I read the words several times, then closed the book and resumed packing.

The more I thought about those words later on, the more they made sense. Let's face it. We work with mostly Type-A people who are self-driven, hard-working, naturally motivated individuals.

Many people are eager to step into a new job, move to an exciting new location or begin training in their dream aircraft. How do we, as leaders, help people keep that same level of enthusiasm? This may, in fact, be even more challenging than motivating people in the first place!

I'll admit that I'm still searching for the perfect recipe to avoid de-motivation. Between limited manning, sequestration, reduced resources, hundreds of additional duties and our own personal challenges, there is no shortage of obstacles when it comes to staying motivated.

As leaders, we need to do our best to prepare folks to face those challenges and to set an example for them to follow. Although we often can't change life's events, we can control how we react to them.

Here's one thought: never underestimate the effect that a positive attitude can have toward staying motivated.

That doesn't mean we have to run around being happy all the time. But giving a well-timed word of encouragement or presenting solutions rather than just focusing on problems can work wonders toward surviving de-motivating times.

Additionally, as leaders, it is our responsibility to get to know people the best we can. We can then begin to learn their goals, desires and what drives them toward success. Through learning this information, we can be better prepared for situations that may take a motivation toll on our people.

Another important part of staying motivated involves taking the opportunity to recharge. A well-timed week of leave can do wonders for overcoming the mental drain of constantly fighting to accomplish the mission.

Supervisors need to look out for their people when it comes to making sure they take time off, but they also need to make sure they take the time to recharge as well.

Preventing de-motivation reaches beyond leaders. Every individual - from commanders to supervisors to our youngest Airmen -- can make a difference in this realm. I'd encourage everyone to remember why you first chose your profession. Remember what motivated you to enlist in the Air Force or to become an Air Force officer.

As I watched the 2013 United States Air Force Academy gradation this past week, I was reminded of the flood of excitement and anticipation experienced by the Air Force's newest officers.

I watch pilot training graduations every three weeks and see the excitement of the newly graduated pilots and the pride on their families' faces.

When the challenges seem to build and you're feeling a bit de-motivated, spend a moment reflecting on what it was that motivated you to start your Air Force journey!