From Clock-In to Buy-In: Simple Ways to Inspire Your Team

At the Utility 2030 Leadership Collaborative (U2030), we believe leadership is about more than managing tasks—it’s about inspiring people to bring their best selves to work every day. That belief is at the heart of our programs, including the RADIATE Women’s Leadership Program, where I have the pleasure of mentoring emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the utility industry.

Recently, my mentee in the 2024–2025 RADIATE class shared her challenge: how to motivate her team to care about more than just collecting a paycheck. She is not alone—this is one of the toughest challenges leaders face. When employees treat work as nothing more than clocking in and out, productivity, morale, and customer service all suffer.

Fortunately, leaders don’t always need grand gestures or massive culture-change programs to start turning things around. Often, small, intentional actions can create momentum, spark connection, and remind people that they matter and their work matters.

Quick Wins Through Mini Projects

One practical approach is to design a mini team project with a quick win. These are small, tangible activities that give you team a sense of shared accomplishment in a short period. For example, you might:

• Decorate the lunchroom with a theme that brings warmth into the room

• Set up a shared resource display

• Complete a community service project, such as assembling care packages for families in need.

• Create a team gratitude board.

During a recent visit to BGE with RADIATE participants, we saw a great example of this in action—their employee committee transforms the lunchroom with a new theme each month. The space was colorful, uplifting, and visually inviting, creating an environment that felt both fun and motivating.

The key is to choose a project that is visible and achievable, then celebrate your shared success—whether with coffee and donuts, a group photo, or a simple acknowledgment. Quick wins build confidence and show the team that their combined effort makes a difference.

Recognition Through Stand-Up Chats or Icebreakers

Another simple yet powerful practice is the daily or weekly stand-up chat—a brief five- to ten-minute huddle where each person shares a recent win, a point of gratitude, or one positive thing about someone else.

During a recent U2030 Advisory Engagement, we opened with an icebreaker that had a big impact. Each person introduced themself and then shared the “superpower” of someone else in the room. By the end, every participant had one of their strengths recognized by a peer, leaving the group energized, connected, and ready to engage.

Recognition is a deeply motivating force, and when it comes from peers—not just managers—it reinforces trust and strengthens relationships. Over time, this rhythm helps shift culture away from disengagement and toward belonging, contribution, and pride in the team. When combined with a team gratitude board, these conversations become even more memorable and impactful.

Recommended Reading

For leaders who want to deepen their understanding of how to sustain these cultural shifts, two books stand out:

• The Carrot Principle by Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton emphasizes the extraordinary impact of recognition on performance and morale, aligning perfectly with the idea of daily or weekly stand-up chats.

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni reveals the hidden dynamics that often hold teams back. Its companion Field Guide provides practical exercises to help turn mini projects into lasting cultural change.

Building a Culture of Connection

By combining quick-but-meaningful activities with insights from the recommended readings, leaders can shift their teams from disengaged compliance to genuine participation. When employees feel seen, supported, and valued, they become more motivated to contribute—and more inspired to give beyond the bare minimum.