Fostering Team Motivation

As a CFO & COO during challenging times, maintaining team spirit and motivation with peers and the CEO requires deliberate effort and thoughtful leadership.

When it comes to the team, people have different intrinsic motivations. Some are naturally self-driven, others excel in maintaining professional routines, and some require more acknowledgment to feel engaged. Though we all seek validation, the way we respond to challenges, especially in times of uncertainty, shapes how we function.

The current reality, forced upon us over a year ago, has amplified unpredictability. The uncertainty of what may happen in the next hour or tomorrow—whether globally or personally—creates heightened anxiety. Many of us are grappling with concerns about personal security, balancing responsibilities as parents, and dealing with unprecedented anxiety. In this environment, leaders play a critical role in creating a safe, supportive work environment—a sanctuary, however small, that shields teams from external stressors.

Waves of Drive and Creativity

Motivation, like the tides, comes in waves. Sometimes, there are small ripples of drive that help us get through the routine—meetings, checklists, and small talk. But occasionally, a larger, more significant wave comes along. This is the wave worth catching, as it brings a burst of creativity and positive momentum. These moments of inspiration remind us of our potential to create, innovate, or even have a breakthrough idea. Sharing these moments with the team breathes life into the collective, reinforcing the power of collaboration and the belief that even small teams can achieve great things.

These are the moments we strive for—they not only fuel progress but also create memories that bind teams together. However, even the most brilliant ideas need nurturing. They require repeated efforts, continuous implementation, and the collective belief of the team to transform initial sparks into impactful outcomes.

Finding Meaning in Everyday Efforts

Not every day can be a wave of inspiration. Most days are part of the routine, but that doesn't mean they should feel monotonous. As we spend significant hours at work, it’s essential that these days hold meaning. This is where building relationships comes into play.

In our fast-paced world, where everything is instant—entertainment, food delivery, information—one thing technology cannot expedite is the development of meaningful relationships. Building trust with your team, peers, and CEO takes time, and this is key to fostering motivation, collaboration, and ultimately achieving business results.

Leadership Through Learning

In the first year as CFO & COO, the focus is on learning—understanding the organization, roles, responsibilities, and most importantly, the people. You start to build relationships, trust, and get to know who is self-motivated, who needs more guidance, and who thrives on brainstorming and collaboration.

By the second year, these relationships start to solidify. Your team evolves into a cohesive unit, with individuals working together and interfacing with different parts of the organization more fluidly. This paves the way for more forward-thinking and motivational processes.

Tailored Approaches to Team Development

People are diverse, but one commonality is that everyone wants to succeed. By focusing on this, we can tailor our approach:

• For self-motivated individuals: Leverage their energy. Engage them in brainstorming sessions about the company’s future, set new challenges, and co-create missions for the team.

• For those who thrive on routine: Inject variety by assigning new projects that offer personal growth opportunities. Encourage self-development and create a sense of accomplishment—"Yes, I can do it, yes, I did it”—which is invaluable no matter the stage of one’s career.

• For less self-driven team members: Focus on nurturing. Gradually introduce the bigger picture of the business, helping them connect their daily tasks to the organization’s long-term goals.

Execution and Perseverance

At the end of the day, execution is what counts. Consistently following through on ideas, nurturing team development, and fostering collaboration will create an environment where both individual and collective successes can flourish. These processes take time, but with patience, you’ll build a motivated, resilient, and high-performing team.