Unlocking Motivation: How to Inspire Yourself and Others

An Introduction to Self-Determination Theory with Aaron Robbins

Mar 14, 2025

3 Ideas from Aaron and I

1. Motivation is a skill that can be developed—by becoming self-aware, understanding your values, and proactively creating conditions that support your psychological needs
2. Intrinsic motivation (doing something because it feels personally meaningful) transforms work from a burden into a source of joy.
3. Leadership isn't about controlling others but creating environments where people can discover their own motivation. The most powerful leaders support others' psychological needs and help them connect to their deeper purpose.

2 Ideas from Others

1. “Autonomy, competence, and relatedness are essential to fostering the highest quality of motivation and engagement.” — Deci & Ryan
2. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

1 Question for You

Think of a time you felt truly motivated—what made that moment different from others?

What Does Motivation Look Like in Yourself and Others?

We all know what motivation feels like—that rush of energy when you're excited about a project, the drive to keep going even when things get tough, the satisfaction of seeing progress unfold.

But if you've ever struggled with motivation—whether personally or while leading a team—you know it’s not as simple as just willing yourself (or others) to care more. So, what actually fuels motivation?

In the latest episode of Socrates Café, Aaron and I explored the art of motivation—specifically, how leaders can inspire their teams to thrive. Drawing from Aaron’s expertise, we examined both his personal experiences as a leader and the key principles of Self-Determination Theory, the leading framework for understanding what drives us to be our best selves. Tune in to Socrates Café to learn more and check out a brief overview of our discussion below. We hope you enjoy!

The Science of Motivation: Self-Determination Theory

Psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan developed Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to explain what drives lasting motivation.

Their research shows that three core psychological needs determine how engaged, fulfilled, and motivated we feel:

1. Autonomy – The Power of Choice

People are most motivated when they feel like they’re in control of their actions. Sometimes this can be tough due to working conditions.

Think about the last time you felt forced to do something—it probably wasn’t very motivating. On the other hand, when you chose to take action on something meaningful, motivation felt natural.

✅ How to Build Autonomy in Yourself & Others:

- Give yourself (or your team) flexibility in how to approach a task.
- Align work with personal values and interests—when something feels meaningful, motivation follows.
- Avoid micromanaging—people thrive when they feel trusted to make decisions.

Reflection: What’s one area of your life where you feel most in control? How does that affect your motivation?

2. Competence – Feeling Capable & Growing

We are more motivated when we feel skilled and see progress. A part of being motivated is striving to improve and perform at your best.

When you start something new, motivation can dip if it feels too difficult. But the opposite is also true—if something is too easy, boredom kicks in. The sweet spot for motivation? Just the right level of challenge, plus a sense of progress. This is consistent with the balance between our tasks and skills, allowing us to reach flow states or optimal engagement with our experiences

✅ How to Build Competence in Yourself & Others:

- Break big goals into small wins—momentum builds motivation.
- Shift your mindset from "I should know this already" to "I can learn this over time."
- Give constructive feedback—supporting others with encouragement and helpful insights builds confidence.

Reflection: What’s a skill you’ve improved over time? How did small progress keep you motivated?

3. Relatedness – The Need for Connection

Motivation thrives when we feel supported, valued, and connected to others. Connection leads us to contribute to things beyond ourselves for those we care about. They pull the best out of us, and we do for them.

It’s easy to underestimate how much social connection fuels motivation. It’s one of the driving forces behind almost everything we do, whether at work, in our families, in other relationships, or in the community. Whether it’s a great team dynamic, a supportive friend, or simply knowing your work impacts others, feeling connected increases drive and commitment.

✅ How to Build Relatedness in Yourself & Others:

- Surround yourself with people who uplift you and share your goals.
- Build a team culture of recognition and appreciation—people work harder when they feel valued.
- Find ways to connect your work to a bigger purpose—knowing you make a difference fuels long-term motivation.

Reflection: Who in your life helps you stay motivated? How can you build stronger connections with others in your community?

Bringing It All Together: How to Stay Motivated Long-Term

When we struggle with motivation, it’s often because one (or more) of these three needs is missing:

🔹 Feeling stuck? Try creating more autonomy by choosing how you approach a task or ask to be on a project you care about.
🔹 Feeling unmotivated? Look for small wins to rebuild confidence. What skills can you gain through the work you will do?
🔹 Feeling disconnected? Seek out supportive relationships and a sense of purpose. A mentor, a mentee, a friend all can contribute.

Motivation isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about creating an environment where motivation naturally thrives. This starts by attending to your needs.

✨ What’s one area of your life where you can apply this today? Drop a comment below!

Paving The Way

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