The secret to motivating your team? Sit down with them and go through the ICM Process.
This is the opposite of the “let’s discuss what you can do better” conversation. It is a recognition of every employee’s talents, gifts, strengths, and empowering them to use these as often as possible.
As I have taught this simple, yet profound, process to leaders for many years, it is not only transformative for the employee, but the leader gets quite a bit of insight as well. Imagine sitting with someone you have mostly only discussed improvement with, and instead, flip the script to dig in to what they see is the best of what they bring?
Most employees are doing all they can to comply, conform, and not shake things up, in an attempt to stick to the rules and meet all goals. In turn, motivation for asserting oneself and even overall greatness can begin to wane.
However, when we encourage those we lead to stand out in a sit down world, this empowers their ideas, creates ramped up performance, and allows everyone to feel they have a stake in the progression beyond simply being a part of the team: They are a LEADER within their position and feel more powerful to be great.
I encourage all leaders to take the time to sit together with each employee and find out what they truly feel are their greatest gifts within the company structure.
As each leader listens to the traits identified by the employee, agreeing with them, and encouraging those to be utilized more often. What will become apparent is the distraction of tasks and daily items that could very well be delegated to others on the team who could accomplish them even better, while relieving said employee of slogging away at aspects of the job that are not in their strengths wheelhouse.
Now we unlock the secret to motivating the team: assigning the right tasks to those who have a natural gift to do them the best, and excitement for tackling aspects of the job they have always wanted to, becomes their new aim. Rid of the burden that kept them hampered from flying, team members start to realize their own potential, and know the person beside them in the arms of battle will pick up the baton as well.
This continues a cycle of Promise Leadership, where accountability is consistent and joyful, as we ensure no one does the task the best person should be assigned to accomplishing it, while all others support their efforts.
Here is The ICM Process in it’s simplest form:
Leader and Employee sit in an open dialogue and conversation. The Leader asks, “What do you IDENTIFY are your strongest traits, skills, and natural gifts in your job and on the team?”
IDENTIFY – Listen to what they believe are their greatest assets to the company.
CLARIFY – As the Leader, you give 3-5 examples of them demonstrating greatness, along with words they can hold onto for their own Signature Moves definition.
MAGNIFY – Encourage them to utilize what they identify, what you clarify, in order for them to magnify their Promise at work every day.
Doing this process one by one with each employee changes morale, motivates, and drives deeper their commitment to the company and team.
Continuing the conversation throughout the year, even having the same discussion once per quarter, reveals furthermore the skills they are developing and growing all at once, allowing for ascension within the company ranks and building leaders from within.
Now your team members know their Signature Moves, and can teach The ICM Process to those they will lead in the future.
Happier Employees, Better Teams, Greater Performance.
This is Your Leadership Promise.
Promise kept.
~ Jason Hewlett
Inspiration Wrapped in Entertainment
- Husband, Father, Writer, Mentor, Hiker
- Speaker Hall of Fame * Award-Winning Entertainer * Emcee
- World’s Only Keynote Speaker utilizing entertainment, musical impressions, and comedy to teach The Promise
- Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Author of #1 Spiritual Self-Help book “The Promise To The One”
- Messenger & President of Cardio Miracle
