You’ve heard it before: “It’s lonely at the top.” And if you’re in a leadership role, you know how true that can be. As a leader, you’re expected to project confidence, offer solutions, and maintain team morale—even on days when your own motivation has completely flatlined.
So how do you motivate your team when you’re running on empty? More importantly, how do you motivate yourself in the moments when burnout, overwhelm, or imposter syndrome creeps in?
Let me give you three tactics that work. Not theory—real-life strategies that help leaders stay driven and keep their teams inspired.
1. Stop Complaining and Blaming
First, take this to heart: You set the tone. As a leader, your attitude is contagious. That means no complaining. No blaming. If your team sees you whining about tough circumstances or throwing others under the bus, they’ll follow suit.
On the flip side, when you take responsibility for your energy, own your mistakes, and show up with integrity—even when it’s hard—you build a culture of accountability and resilience. People take cues from how you act, not just what you say. That’s leadership.
2. Borrow Ideas From Outside Your Industry
One of the best ways to re-energize your thinking is by going outside your bubble. Literally.
Here’s a trick I use: Go to the “wrong” meetings. Find a hotel conference room hosting an event totally unrelated to your field. Wait for attendees to file in, then slide into the back row. Listen. Observe. You’ll be amazed at how often you hear an idea, strategy, or structure that you can adapt for your own business.
Cross-industry innovation is the birthplace of breakthroughs. IDEO’s approach to design thinking emphasizes this kind of lateral exploration—and it’s how some of the world’s most successful companies find fresh inspiration.
3. Share Your Failures
Motivation doesn’t always come from winning. It often comes from knowing we can recover from failure.
As a leader, being honest about your mistakes creates psychological safety for your team. They realize you’re human. You’ve failed. You’ve learned. You’ve grown. And because you’re transparent about that journey, they’ll trust you more—and take more initiative themselves.
Show them how you turned a loss into a lesson. Don’t just lead with the highlight reel. Lead with your humanity. That’s the path to an engaged, motivated culture.
Final Thought: Leadership is a Performance
Motivation is not always a natural feeling—it’s a skill. Some days, you’ll have to put on the suit, smile for your team, and lead even when your tank is empty. But leadership is a performance that, when done with purpose and intention, can reignite your own inner fire in the process.
And here’s the truth: You don’t have to fake it. You just have to be real, present, and willing to keep learning.
Watch the full video for Ross’s motivational leadership insights
If you prefer to hear these strategies in action, click below to watch the video. Ross brings energy, empathy, and actionable ideas to help you lead with confidence—even on tough days.
Want to Ignite Your Leadership Team’s Motivation?
If this message resonated with you, imagine the impact Ross Shafer could have on your entire team. As a six-time Emmy-winning comedian turned award-winning leadership expert, Ross brings humor, heart, and hard-won business insights to every stage.
Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, annual sales meeting, or leadership summit, Ross delivers high-energy keynotes that inspire immediate action and lasting change.
Book Ross Shafer as your next motivational speaker and help your team rediscover what drives them.