How to Motivate Your Staff: The Simple Truth No One Tells You

If you've ever sat down scratching your head, wondering how on earth to motivate your staff, you're not alone. As a business owner, manager, or leader, it's a headache that pops up time and time again. I’ve been there myself—those moments when you desperately want your team to buy into the vision, to show hunger and commitment, but, for some reason, it just doesn't connect.

On day 1903 of my consecutive run vlogging journey, I delved into this exact dilemma and came away with a refreshingly straightforward answer, thanks to business guru Keith Cunningham. If you’ve not heard the name, he’s the straight-talking entrepreneur who inspired "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki’s famous book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"—and his insights are remarkably clear: hire the right people from the start.

The Real Solution to Team Motivation

During a podcast episode, Keith was asked how he motivates his staff to buy into his vision or achieve key objectives. His answer was blunt: hire self-motivated people. It’s that simple. Don’t waste energy trying to pump up staff who don’t show ambition or initiative during the interview process. If someone is a real go-getter, you’ll sense it. If they aren’t, no amount of tricks, perks, or pep talks will fix the underlying issue.

And this isn’t just for sales roles, as some might think. Whether you’re hiring a spreadsheet fanatic or a creative thinker, the principle remains: passion for the role translates into genuine motivation without you having to force it.

Look for Self-Starters—From Day One

I’ve noticed that when I hire individuals who are genuinely excited by the work itself, not just the pay cheque, they make my life as a leader so much easier. But sometimes, admittedly, I’ve found myself hand-holding and trying to instil motivation post-hire. Keith's approach is a wake-up call: that’s not management—that’s a recruitment mistake.

If a candidate doesn’t convince you they're hungry for the role during the hiring process, don’t bring them on board. It’s far better to solve the cause (hiring the wrong people) than spend your energy forever treating the symptoms (a demotivated team).

When Motivation Drops

Naturally, if a previously driven team member loses motivation, that’s a different problem entirely. It’s likely a sign of deeper issues within the business that needs attention. But if you start with highly motivated, self-sufficient individuals, you won’t have to fight this particular battle.

My Key Takeaway

Motivating your staff isn’t about endless incentives or clever management hacks—it’s about nailing down the basics. Find, attract, and hire those who are already hungry for what you offer. Solve the root cause, and you'll save huge amounts of time and energy in the long run.

If you've got your own thoughts or questions on this, I'd love to hear from you—drop me a line any time.

And if you’d like to support my mission of saving children's lives by running an ultra-marathon a day, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and spread the word.

Stay positive, stay happy, and see you again tomorrow.