The Simple Secret to Leadership Growth: Beyond the Hype of Motivation

In the world of coaching, especially when it comes to helping leaders grow, we often hear about the importance of motivation. But here's the thing: putting all our eggs in the motivation basket might not be the smartest move. BJ Fogg, a guru in behaviour change, has some insights that can shake up how we approach coaching and leadership development.

Motivation: It's Complicated

Sure, motivation is crucial, but relying on it too much? Not the best plan. Fogg breaks it down into what drives us: our internal desires, the rewards or punishments we might face, and even the influence of our friends. It's a mix of factors that makes coaching a bit of a puzzle.

Three Big Motivators for Leadership Growth

Fogg throws in three big motivators that hit close to home for us coaches: Sensation, Anticipation, and Belonging. Sounds fancy, right? Let's keep it real.

• Sensation: How does the action make you feel - good or bad? As a coach, understanding the vibes tied to certain actions helps us guide leaders in a way that feels right.
• Anticipation: What's the future looking like based on today's actions? We're talking about hope and fear here. Coaching leaders involves giving them a vision of success while helping them kick fears to the curb.
• Belonging: Everyone wants to fit in. In the leadership world, it's about creating a sense of belonging within a team or company culture. People work better when they feel they're part of something.

Ability and Motivation: A Dynamic Duo

Coaching is all about balance, right? Fogg says the ability to do something is tied to how motivated you are. But how do you balance these two to help leaders grow? That's the million-dollar question.

Tiny Habits: The Game-Changer in Coaching

Now, here's the gold nugget - tiny habits. Fogg's idea is to start small, like really small. He did push-ups every time he went to the bathroom and lost 20 pounds! It's about making changes doable and, honestly, kind of fun. As a coach, imagine turning overwhelming goals into easy, bite-sized steps. It's like turning "I need to run a marathon" into "I'll jog around the block today."

Wrap-Up: A Challenge for Coaches

So, fellow coaches, how can we use Fogg's tricks and the power of tiny habits to help our leaders grow? Can this shift in mindset shake up our coaching game and make a lasting impact on those we guide? Let's chat about it.