The Motivation Episode: How to Motivate Those You Lead at Church

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In this episode, Kurt Francom, executive director of Leading Saints, shares his thoughts on how leaders can handle the question that always seems to come up: “How can I motivate people?”

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Highlights

Traditional notions of motivation may be misguided. Kurt cites a Church training with Elder Bednar where he asserted that motivation is essentially a false concept. Motivation can only come from the inside, not from external pressures or guilt. He highlights the importance of recognizing one’s ego as a driving force in leadership and the need to create a culture of love and identity rather than relying on high expectations and shame. Kurt shares practical strategies for fostering motivation, such as building relationships, offering autonomy, and inviting community engagement. He emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and connected.

Ultimately, true motivation stems from understanding one’s identity in Christ and fostering a culture of discipleship. Kurt encourages leaders to surrender their expectations and allow individuals to find their own paths to engagement, reinforcing the idea that leadership is about guiding others toward their divine potential rather than merely achieving specific metrics or goals. Leaders can embrace their roles with compassion and patience, recognizing that the journey of discipleship is a collective effort that requires understanding and support.

02:15 – Common Leadership Concerns
03:39 – Understanding Motivation Challenges
05:06 – Apathy and Engagement Post-COVID
06:20 – The Role of Ego in Leadership
08:15 – Rethinking the Problem of Motivation
09:41 – Elder Bednar’s Perspective on Motivation
10:34 – The Impact of Ego on Leadership
12:30 – The Pressure of Leadership Expectations
13:02 – The Ineffectiveness of Guilt as Motivation
14:05 – Historical Example: World War Rationing
17:53 – The Importance of Inviting Solutions
18:14 – Building Relationships Over Numbers
20:23 – High Love vs. High Expectations
21:07 – Teaching Identity as a Motivational Tool
23:04 – The Role of the Temple in Identity
24:30 – Surrendering Motivation to Christ
26:16 – The Challenge of Leadership and Ego
28:24 – Practical Steps for Leaders
30:09 – Fostering Community and Relationships
32:06 – Offering Autonomy in Leadership
33:18 – Teaching Identity and Purpose
35:39 – The Long-Term Vision for Leadership
37:28 – Conclusion and Encouragement for Leaders

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.