I am sure that you have heard of the ten year overnight success. This happens when all of a sudden someone seems to appear from nowhere and turns into an overnight success. They seem to just arrive on the scene, where they have the Midas touch and cannot put a foot wrong. They enjoy one incredible success after another. What the casual observer does not see, is the years of hard work, which has gone into establishing the foundation for that incredible success. These people have invested thousands of hours into building the momentum, which now seems unstoppable.
The way to build momentum and get your team to start flying down the river of success, is to first have a crystal clear vision, which you completely believe in and want to achieve. Then you as the leader must enthusiastically communicate this to all stakeholders and with your drive, determination and passion, you must guide everyone within your team, to not only support but to completely buy in to the vision on an emotional level.
As you drive your vision, leading from the front with passion, enthusiasm and real energy, your team will support you with equal vigour. Slowly but surely, the team will gather momentum. As you lead with enthusiasm every day, you will gradually attract the same from all your people and you will start to see forward progress. The secret To “BUILDING MOMENTUM” is to remain patient and persistent. Momentum is not developed in a day. It takes time and consistent effort. A massive steam train that weighs many thousands of tonnes can be kept at rest, by a single block of wood, placed on the railway track. The same train becomes almost unstoppable though, once it has built up momentum. The same is true for any team, which has invested time into gradually building momentum, they become unstoppable.
Momentum is any leader’s best friend; it is an invisible force, which once fostered and developed, makes success feel almost effortless. If you have ever attempted to water ski, you will understand the principal of momentum. When you are attempting to get up on your skis, you feel massive pressure against your chest as the boat tries to pull you out of the water. As you come out of the water and stand on your skis there is far less drag on your arms and it becomes easy to change direction. Teams with momentum are easy to lead and should you encounter any challenges, it is easy to change direction and chart a new course.
Teams without momentum are difficult to lead. Even the smallest of challenges can seem insurmountable. This can result in low morale and a very bleak looking future indeed. Teams that have built up momentum on the other hand, easily manage challenges. Obstacles appear far smaller and any road block or troubles seem inconsequential.
Once you have managed to develop momentum in your team or organisation, your team will be driven and inspired to perform at far higher levels. Everyone in your teams becomes productive and effective, beyond even their hopes and expectations. Even average people will perform far above their ability in a team, which has invested effort into growing, expanding, to a point where the team or organisation now has momentum.
You can never develop momentum with an autocratic or bureaucratic leadership style. The only way to get your team behind you and your vision as a leader is to be an authentic leader, who cares and leads by example. Be committed to show your passion, energy and commitment daily and over time your team will start to gather momentum. Always remember that momentum begins with the leader and the spreads from there. Take responsibility for developing momentum in your team, the time, energy and effort you invest into building momentum within your team or organisation, will pay you back many times over.
You can never develop momentum within your team, unless you are passionate about your vision and you as the leader are committed to display enthusiasm daily about your vision. You must be the shining light, who inspires and energises your team every day, even when you don’t really feel like it. You must also model the work ethic, attitude and passion you want to see in your team.
Work to remove all demotivating factors from within your team or organisation. Look around your environment and try to eliminate all demotivating factors, which may be causing your team members to lose their passion or enthusiasm. Look for ways to completely remove or to reduce these factors as much as possible.
Only once you have removed all demotivating factors, can you move to the next step, which is to find ways to inspire every member of your team. Celebrate all individual and team accomplishments. The more you recognise and honour the individuals within your teams, who consistently keep the ball moving forward, the more people, will want to perform themselves. When you consistently praise effort within all your teams and reward every accomplishment. You will encourage everyone to deliver their best. Andrew Horton’s leadership training program will inspire all team players to deliver their best.