Stanley Marcus was a giant in retailing, having built the famous Neiman Marcus Department Store. One of his secrets was an ability to inspire growth in his employees.

Marcus said: “I once visited the bridge of a naval vessel where the brass gleamed like gold. I asked the captain how often they had to shine the brass. ‘Every day,’ he told me. ‘The minute you stop polishing it, it starts to tarnish.’

“This incident can be correlated to people,” Marcus said. “None of us is made of gold, we’re all made of brass, but we can look like gold if we work hard at polishing ourselves as the sailor polishes the brass of his ship. We can be better than we really are if we make the effort.

“This may sound trite,” Marcus continued, “but it must have made an impression on many people, because almost every week some member of our staff comes up to me and says, “I’m sure polishing my brass today.’”

Leaders need to set examples for others. Inspire your employees by being the kind of leader you would want to follow. Your actions and attitude set the tone for your team’s success.

Motivational author Zig Ziglar said, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Inspiring employees is a multifaceted task that involves several key strategies:

Hire the right people. Start by hiring individuals who align with your company’s values and possess the skills and attitude you desire. This sets the foundation for a motivated workforce.

Set clear expectations. Keep score by measuring performance and letting employees know what they are being evaluated on. This clarity helps eliminate misunderstandings and keeps everyone aligned with the organization’s goals.

Recognize and reward. Acknowledging and rewarding employees for their achievements is crucial. Recognition motivates employees to strive for excellence.

Lead by example. Practice what you preach. As a leader, your enthusiasm and dedication to customer service and quality should be evident. If you’re motivated and passionate, it will inspire your team to follow suit.

Foster a positive work environment. Create an environment where employees feel valued and heard. Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for growth and support a healthy work-life balance.

Encourage innovation and creativity. Allow employees to take initiative and contribute ideas. When employees feel their contributions matter, they are more engaged and motivated.

By working on ourselves, we develop resilience and the capacity to handle new challenges and changes in both our personal and professional lives. Whether it’s learning a new language, mastering new software or developing better communication skills, continuous learning keeps us competitive and relevant in our careers. It also enriches our personal lives by opening up new opportunities and experiences.

Personal development often involves improving emotional intelligence, empathy and communication skills, which are critical for building and maintaining strong relationships both at work and in our personal lives.

Working on ourselves can also mean taking care of our physical and mental health. This includes developing healthy habits, managing stress and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Once upon a time, in a bustling city, there was a young man named Tim who was struggling to find inspiration for his work. Every day, he would sit at his desk, staring at a blank screen, waiting for the muse to strike. But alas, inspiration seemed to be on an extended vacation.

One day, Tim decided to take a break and went for a walk in the park. As he strolled along, he noticed a group of pigeons gathered around an elderly gentleman who was feeding them breadcrumbs. Intrigued, Tim sat on a nearby bench to watch.

The old man, with a twinkle in his eye, was narrating stories to the pigeons as if they were his audience. He animatedly described epic tales of adventure and courage, and the pigeons, in their own way, seemed captivated.

Amused, Tim approached the gentleman and asked, “Why do you tell stories to pigeons?”

The old man chuckled and replied, “Ah, my boy, these pigeons are my toughest critics. If I can keep them entertained, I know I’m onto something!”

Tim laughed and realized that inspiration could come from the most unexpected places. He returned to his desk with a newfound perspective, ready to tackle his work with the same enthusiasm as the old storyteller.

Mackay’s Moral: Inspiration is contagious; when you give it your all, you light a fire that ignites others.