After more than 40 years of working with retailers and retail leaders themes about what works and what doesn’t emerge.  We believe that motivation is actually an outcome of good leadership.  While cheering people on or being energetic or enthusiastic is helpful, the affects are short-lived.

When leaders focus more on building their team’s competence to stretch or handle more challenging situations through training, practice, feedback, and stretch goals the impact is far more than just meeting the goal.  When someone is able to do something that they personally didn’t think they could they are amazed and very proud.  They also begin to believe they can do more and in fact want to do more!

Usng cheerleading as a way to get someone’s attention does work to build up excitement.  The true reality of the situation’s challenge however needs more than hopeful optimism.  Being able to also connect to someone’s needs or passions as well as building a plan for how to position them for success with the skills and strategies they’ll need puts you over the goal line in the long-term.

How many of your managers use cheerleading as their main way to motivate their team?  Post your comment here or share your thoughts in a tweet @mohrretail.  In retail, every day is a chance to learn. MOHR!

Posted in Editorial
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About Michael Patrick

Michael held positions in retail management, merchandising, and human resources before joining MOHR Retail’s predecessor in 1986. In 1990 he purchased the retail division of that firm to form today’s MOHR Retail. Michael holds true to his retail roots by delivering learning that changes behavior—providing both immediate and lasting business impact. In addition to facilitating MOHR Retail training programs, he offers executive-level coaching in one-on-one sessions dealing with critical strategic issues such as succession strategies and executive team development. The author of “The New Negotiation Mindset: Guarantee A Bigger Slice,” Michael is a longstanding member of NRF as well as ISA: The Association of Learning Providers. He has a B.A. from San Diego State University, completed Master’s level work at Arizona State University, and lives with his family in New Jersey.