6 Ways to Motivate Student Leaders

Recognition… tell the student/s they have done a good job, compliment the person in the presence of others, put emphasis on the person’s success, don’t dwell on past failures, give credit where credit is due.  

Rewards…give out prizes, send notes of appreciation, take the student/s out to lunch, and throw a party for members. 

Involvement…allow initiation of individual’s own ideas, allow student/s to have important input, listen with interest, make sure people understand what is happening.  

Interests…assign responsibilities according to interests and allow trial of new ideas.  

Self Satisfaction…specify times for progress reports when meeting with officers. Trust the student/s. Make yourself available when student/s are setting short term and attainable goals.  

Friendships… give student/s opportunity to socialize. Don’t be overly strict about sticking to business all the time. Allow student/s to work in small groups. Encourage student leaders to conduct and get acquainted through activities. They, and you, can never know all there is to know about each other.  

It also needs to also realize that negative motivation isn’t the answer.  For example, sarcastically threatening to kick someone out of an organization unless they clean up the Multipurpose Room after an event isn’t going to make that person feel motivated to be involved in future meetings or events.