🚀 I’ve Got an Unmotivated Mary on My Team…And I’d Like to Smack ‘Em 😅
At a recent event, someone asked me, "What's one way to motivate people? I’ve got a few unmotivated Mary’s on my team and I'd love to smack 'em…”
Although it wasn’t the main focus, that question hit home. My answer? “What unused potential are you leaving on the table?”
🧐 Unmotivated folks often feel underutilized—like their talents are being ignored or that no one cares. And when people feel unseen, their drive naturally wanes. It’s a missed opportunity for everyone.
💡 This lesson really sunk in early in my leadership career. I had 65 direct reports and was overwhelmed trying to get to know each one. So, I handed out a sheet titled, "Lisa wants to know…" with some simple but powerful questions:
1️⃣ What’s your favorite part of your job?
2️⃣ What’s your least favorite part?
3️⃣ What’s one thing I should know about you that hasn’t come up in conversation?
4️⃣ Do you have any hidden talents or potential we haven’t tapped into?
The responses blew me away. One team member at our clinic’s front desk mentioned she had experience writing curriculums for daycares—totally unrelated to healthcare, right? But that hidden talent became a game-changer when we needed to redesign our training manuals. With a little creativity, we unlocked her potential and it turned out to be one of the most successful projects I’ve ever led.
🔍 So, here’s my challenge to you: What hidden potential is lying dormant in your team or even in yourself? Are you being curious? Asking the right questions to uncover it?
It might take some extra effort, but trust me—the payoff is huge. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, their motivation—and your results—can soar.
Let’s start asking the questions that unlock all that untapped potential just waiting to be utilized! 🚀
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