Leading Through Uncertainty: How Umpqua Bank Emerged from the Great Recession Better and Stronger than Ever

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Motivate and Inspire

Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.

—Zig Ziglar

I tell people at Umpqua that if you're a leader, then your job description is really the same as mine. I don't care if you lead one person or one thousand, your job description has just two simple words: motivate and inspire. If you can't motivate and inspire people, you can't lead. It's as simple as that. If you can't motivate and inspire others, then you need to get out of the way and make room for someone who can. Doing this requires building trust and unlocking the energy and passion inside every one of us. And it means making a conscious effort every day to recognize and reward the ...