Why Your Team Is Losing Motivation—and How to Stop It.

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact

How do you keep your team energized, engaged, and aligned—especially in the demanding world of social impact? Passion and purpose are key, but they’re not enough on their own. In this episode, Eric and Jonathan unpack the essential elements of team motivation, exploring why some teams thrive while others stall, and revealing the missing ingredient in traditional approaches to workplace fulfillment. Plus, hear how strategies like impact storytelling, feedback systems, and even gym breaks can transform your culture and keep burnout at bay. Ready to inspire your team? Let’s get into it.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Opening Thoughts

• The unique challenges and opportunities for social impact leaders.

[03:41] Breaking Down Team Motivation

• The differences between highly motivated teams and struggling ones.

[06:16] Adding Balance to the Equation

• How burnout is more than just a workload issue—it’s a balance issue.

[08:06] Meaning and Impact: Telling Your Story

• Jonathan’s new strategy: tasking a team member with collecting 30 impact stories a year.

[12:05] Individual Roles Matter

• How to build motivation by recognizing the unique value of every team member.

[17:48] Compensation: A Foundational Factor

• A quick reminder: pay matters, and it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle.

[18:06] Passion Plans: A New Idea for Leaders

• Jonathan’s concept of “passion plans” to help employees deepen their connection to the work.

[24:33] Can You Nurture Other Parts of Your Life?

• How balance and personal growth amplify professional motivation.

[30:32] Leadership’s Role in Motivation

• Motivation is personal: How leaders can uncover individual drivers.

[34:03] Closing Reflections

Resources:

• Ikigai Diagram
• Unexpected Ways a Rebrand Can Supercharge Your Team Culture
• Your Theory of Change isn't finished until your Grandma can understand it.
• 8 Ways To Make Your Nonprofit Storytelling Stand Out
• How to use Crowdsourcing to Fuel Your Nonprofit's Digital Content Strategy
• Why Most Activation Plans Fail and How to Fix Yours.
• The Benefits of a 4 Day Work Week

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Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Kapitel

1. Motivating Your Social Impact Team (00:00:00)

2. Building Meaningful Team Motivation (00:07:24)

3. Passion and Purpose in Work (00:13:21)

4. Balancing Work and Wellness for Motivation (00:24:22)