Despite the abundance of information available on these topics, there is sometimes confusion or imprecise use of them. In addition, there are few articles that analyse each of them individually and, at the same time, establish the fundamental connections that exist between them.
In this article I want to share my perspective on both concepts, based on my experience as a team manager and emphasising the importance of the relationship between leadership and motivation. Instead of resorting to technical definitions, I will do so through a simple and practical story that could happen in any company today.
Leadership and motivation: two game-changing forces
Before sharing the story, I think it is interesting to explain each concept individually, and then explore their interrelationship:
The role of leadership involves influencing others to achieve a shared purpose. Leaders set the direction and perspective of a team or organisation, guiding and supporting team members on the path to success. A competent leader possesses the attributes of empathy, communication and decision-making. At the same time, they foster trust, collaboration and the personal and professional growth of each team member.
Motivation is an internal drive that steers behaviour towards the achievement of objectives. Unlike leadership, which generally comes from a position of hierarchical authority, motivation can arise from both internal and external sources.
- Internal motivations: these arise from within the individual and are nourished through personal enjoyment, passion for what one does and a genuine desire to discover more about oneself. These people value both the journey itself and the personal growth achieved by facing new challenges. This motivation is more long-lasting as it does not depend on external factors.
- External motivation: this comes from external factors such as salaries, bonuses or recognition. Although it may be less profound than intrinsic motivation, it plays an essential role in creating a positive work environment.
Leaders play a key role in creating an environment that fosters both motivations, and to do so it is essential to recognise that each person is unique and can be motivated by different factors.
The story of Mot and Lid
This is the story of Mot and Lid, two colleagues at NeuroAI, a start-up dedicated to the advancement of artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making in the business world.
Mot was the heart of the team: his enthusiasm was contagious and new innovative ideas always emerged from his restless mind. He celebrated each advance in AI as if he were witnessing a historic moment and managed to persuade the rest that they were on the verge of transforming the world. However, in the face of unforeseen situations such as delays in development, lack of funds or sceptical clients, his energy quickly vanished.
In contrast to the charismatic Mot, Lid had a more strategic perspective. Lid did not stand out for his eloquence, but for his methodical approach and the confidence he inspired in his team to follow him enthusiastically. Lid understood the importance of motivation, but he was also aware that, without a defined course, ideas could be lost in the air.
The team faced its biggest obstacle when NeuroAI presented its main proposal to a key investor and it was rejected. Mot led the presentation with enthusiasm and dedication, but was disheartened to feel that all his hard work had been in vain.
On the way back to the company, Mot said, ‘Maybe our product isn’t as revolutionary as we thought…’ That was the moment Lid replied:
‘Mot, your enthusiasm has got us this far, but success doesn’t just depend on a moment of inspiration. It’s a journey of trial, error and improvement. It’s not the end, just an opportunity to learn and adjust our approach.’
With those words, Mot regained his energy and together they rethought their strategy. They adjusted the business model, perfected the algorithm and prepared a new presentation. Weeks later, they secured the investment and NeuroAI took a crucial step towards success.
Since that memorable day, everyone in the company has understood a crucial lesson: motivation is the initial driving force, but it is leadership that fans the flame so that it burns brightly and long-lasting; in a world where technology advances relentlessly, finding the balance between the two is what truly drives innovation.
Therefore, we can clearly distinguish the two forces in this story, recognising the specific role that each one plays crucially in the process of innovating and overcoming challenges. Leadership and motivation are different ideas, but they are essentially connected and complement each other for successful team management. A competent leader not only directs and guides their team, but also plays a key role in motivation by constantly inspiring and encouraging the development of the best version of the team members.
Motivation is like a flame that ignites ideas and enthusiasm in a team to believe in the unthinkable and venture into innovation. It is what drives people to strive for the best, find new opportunities and keep the passion for their work alive. However, motivation alone can be unstable; and when challenges arise, it can fade if not properly managed.
Leadership is like the compass that orients that energy towards a specific purpose; it goes beyond simply guiding a team and is about staying the course when things don’t go according to plan and transforming failures into learning opportunities to ensure that the initial motivation stays on track. An authentic leader not only motivates the team to keep going, but also provides them with the necessary resources and confidence to achieve success.
Motivation is what initially lights the flame, however, leadership is what keeps it burning in the long term.
