People usually do their best work when the task at hand is something they believe in. It’s not that people won’t work if the task is mundane or fails to serve their interests, they just don’t develop the same passion and intensity they would for something that is truly important to them.

The challenge is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to connect every job – or any job all the time – to something that is inherently motivating to the employee. Great managers overcome this hurdle by creating a mission and vision for the company and finding people who share a passion for that vision.

The weakness for most managers, assuming they have created a compelling vision for the company, is communicating it effectively. This issues was discussed in a recent article from AMA’s Leader’s Edge newsletter (March 2009):

So, why don’t leaders focus more of their time and energy on communicating to inspire others? The simple answer is that they feel they are too busy with their own tasks. Many are struggling to keep their heads above water, trapped by demanding schedules of travel, meetings, and day-to-day activities. Yet, if leaders don’t find the time to physically connect with their people, to communicate an inspiring message and mission, they ultimately fail.

["How to Motivate Like a CEO" by Suzanne Bates. March 2009.]

Whether you lead a team, a department, or a company, it is critically important to “connect” with your people – and connect them to the organization. The nature of the organization is irrelevant. The key is that people are more focused, more enthusiastic, and more willing to go the extra mile when they are inspired by the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Bates explains:

Leaders who connect people with the company and its message and strategy find it far simpler to accomplish their goals. These leaders harness energy and talent and drive their organizations forward. You can see the difference in the way they behave: they preside over an organization of people who are working, not just for a paycheck, but to achieve their own potential as individuals. They want to make a difference. They believe that what they are doing matters and it motivates them and ignites their passion and creativity. They become energized by the possibilities and feel connected to each other by a common purpose.

What exactly can you do as a manager to harness this powerful idea? Here are some ideas to consider:

• Work with your team to create an identity (Who are we?)
• Set your standard of performance to be the very best at what your team does
• Recognize and celebrate excellence at every opportunity
• Make one-on-one communication your most important priority

Take time to create vision and purpose for your team – you won’t be disappointed.