Motivational slogans were popular and often unwanted aspect of late 20th-century business. They were popular with managers and often unwanted by the targets of the slogans: non-managers.
Perhaps one of the most infamous slogans was “choose your attitude.” Although the slogan is clearly condescending to hard-working people in a highly complex modern world, thousands of managers felt compelled to post this message for their staff. Such phrases have the same impact on employee motivation as ”be happy in your work.”
Perhaps the greatest flaw of messages such as ”choose your attitude” or “be happy in your work” is that it is misdirected. Such messages are directed at non-leaders. They are based upon the flawed assumption that slogans can realign the thoughts and emotions of followers in the direction leaders prefer. They can’t.
The 21-century is the time for real and courageous leadership. Ideally we could eliminate all motivational slogans from the workplace, instead relying solely on truly meaningful actions to resolve the situational elements that demotivate high-quality employees. But if we must have motivational slogans, let’s try some that target business leaders. For a start, perhaps the following are good slogans:
- “Protect group values – not just your job”
- “Good intentions aren’t enough - provide real leadership expertise”
Motivational slogans are a subtle display of a leader’s power. It is, after all, leaders who decide what slogans are appropriate and then it is they who direct them toward their followers. Totalitarian states are notorious for doing exactly this. It therefore may seem pretty radical to turn slogan posting on its head in the modern business world. But for those business leaders who still believe in the validity of motivational slogans, it is time to have the insight and courage to make themselves the targets of their motivational slogans.
I am excited to announce the launch of my new book, The Supervision Solution. Following is an official press release written by my publicity firm