It’s easy to assume a lack of motivation means a lack of will. That someone’s just not trying hard enough. Yet in most cases, something else is going on beneath the surface.
When a leader shared this concern in a recent session, we asked: What if “unmotivated” isn’t the right diagnosis? What if it’s a signal—an invitation to get curious?
When a change doesn’t stick, the problem often lies deeper in the leadership stack. Not in enforcement, but in how the change was created, communicated, and supported.
The frustration is real—and it’s not just you!
Even seasoned leaders ask themselves: Am I doing a good job for my team? Not just in terms of performance or KPIs—but in helping people feel seen, connected, and confident in their contributions.
And it’s a wise question to ask.
If you are creating an organization that can thrive regardless of who is in the room, you and your team will be best served by creating spaces where people can name what’s real and move forward together.
That feeling? It’s what I believe leadership feels like right now. Leaders are trying to keep the business running while facing one unexpected challenge after another. Here are four key places to start as you figure out what to do next.
What can folk tales teach us about being a better leader and building a better team?
When stress is high and resources are stretched thin, even great teams can act horribly. How do you get people back on track?
While individual leadership skills are vital to success, an often overlooked factor is how much the existing team and culture can influence a person to take action - or not.
Expecting a developing leader to overcome a negative team culture is like tossing seeds onto dry sand and expecting them to flourish. While possible, it’s pretty unlikely.
What usually happens in leadership development … unfortunately - and what we can do to develop people as leaders in ways that actually works.