Motivation vs. Discipline: Achieving Success as a Leader

As leaders, we face the constant challenge of inspiring and guiding our teams towards success. We do many things on a daily basis to create alignment. However, when it comes to achieving goals and driving results, one question I often think about is: what is more important - motivation or discipline?

TLDR: Both! They are not mutually exclusive, but rather go hand in hand with each other!

While motivation is an important part of the process, it's discipline that actually makes things happen. For example, you may be motivated to review your data dashboards every day, but without discipline, it won't become a reality.

Speaking from personal experience, I was motivated to write this newsletter every week, but in the last few months, a lack of discipline made it challenging to post regularly.

Understanding Motivation & Discipline

Motivation is the driving force that inspires people to take action towards their goals. As a leader, it's crucial to understand what motivates your team members, as this can help create a positive and productive work environment.

On the other hand, discipline is the ability to stay focused and committed to a task, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. As a leader, it's important to model discipline and set clear expectations for your team members.

Instilling Motivation and Discipline in Your Team

As a leader, you have the power to create a work environment that fosters motivation and discipline. Here are some ways to do it:

Communicate your vision and purpose- Ensure that your team members understand the "why" behind their work. Communicate your vision and purpose clearly and consistently, and explain how each person's role contributes to the team's success.

Establish operating routines - Create consistent routines and rituals that help your team members stay focused and disciplined. For example, you could establish a weekly team meeting or a daily check-in to review progress and plan for the day ahead. While motivation gets things started, it's discipline that keeps them going.

Hold yourself and your team accountable- Model discipline by holding yourself accountable for your own actions and decisions. And then make sure to hold your team members accountable for their performance and behavior.

Lead by example- Model the behavior and work ethic you expect from your team members. Show up on time, stay organized, and follow through on your commitments. Demonstrate a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and grow. When you do your work well, your team is also motivated to do the same.

Motivation vs. Discipline - Striking the Right Balance

So, which one is more important - motivation or discipline? As I mentioned earlier, both are crucial for effective leadership. While motivation can help your team members get started and stay engaged, discipline is what keeps them on track. As a leader, it's important to recognize the value of both motivation and discipline and leverage them together to create a successful and high-performing team which can continue to scale up.

Keep motivating and stay disciplined!  Together, they are the keys to unlocking the full potential of your team.