How to Get Lazy People to Work

In our Bud to Boss Workshops we get asked different versions of this question frequently. Sometimes it is asked in a more politically correct way. Sometimes it is asked as a curiosity. Most times, however, it is asked bluntly, directly and with frustration:

"How can I get lazy people to work?"

As a coach and consultant, I've also been asked, so I know it isn't an isolated or fleeting question.

Will all due respect to those who have asked me and to those of you reading and nodding your head in agreement, you are asking the wrong question.

What is wrong with the question you ask? At least three things:

• You can't "get" or "make" people do anything (at least not for very long or without unintended consequences).


• "Lazy" is a relative term - one person's lazy might be another person's normal (or even motivated).


• "Lazy" also is a word full of judgment and baggage. Including it in your question reduces the likelihood that you will have success anyway.

So let's see if we can explore what you can do, and in the process see if we can help answer this all-too-prevalent question. OK?

The real question

I'm pretty confident the real question, regardless of how I'm asked, is:

"How can I get people to do more, or do what I think is important?"

Or, stated in a more accurate way, based on what is actually within your control and influence:

"How can I influence others to do more or to do the things that are most important to me (or the team or the organization)?"

Hopefully this accurately re-describes what you or anyone really means when asking the question.

Consider the other person

This question is about two things - someone else's behavior and your perspective on it. Let's start with the other person - I'll get to you in a minute.

Over time, people tend to do what is in alignment with their goals and their view of the world. In other words, people do (or don't do) what makes sense to them. If you want to understand better why other people are doing something, you must first understand their perspective.

This isn't a novel concept, and while you probably aren't (and this article won't make you) a psychologist, most people forget this basic premise.

If you would like someone to exhibit different behaviors and make different choices (i.e. work harder, you lazy bum!), consider why they are doing what they are doing. Ask yourself questions like:

• What is important to them?
• What do they see that I don't?
• What does success look like to them?

Consider your perspective

Your perspective is likely different than that of those you are leading, or you might not be asking this question or reading this article. You see the world differently; you understand the purpose and needs of their work differently. Your perspective makes complete sense to you - as much as theirs doesn't!

However, your values and ethics also impact your perspective. What you define as lazy, how you define a work ethic, what you believe is the right work/life balance for you - all of these and more play into your perspective - and judgment - about whether someone is "lazy" or not.

Not having ‘your' work ethic doesn't in and of itself make the other person ‘lazy.'

Influence strategies

Consider this a starter set of influence strategies for the situation we're discussing. While these alone may not "solve the problem," they likely will make a big difference, and help you determine what the next steps might be.

Let go of your preconceived notions and labels

Understanding your values and beliefs about work is a good starting point. Recognize that however firmly you believe in these values they are not absolute truths. Recognize too that everyone is willing to work hard for things that truly matter to them. Lose the judgment and focus on influencing based on the other person's perspective.

Talk to the other person - and understand his or her perspective

This step is more about asking non-judgmental questions. Questions like the ones asked above are a good starting point. Ask for understanding, not proof or as the starting point of a debate or argument. Remember you can't change the behavior; only help the person make a new choice. Ask the questions to help both of you understand his/her motivations.

Connect to their 'why'

When people have a big enough why they make choices to accomplish just about anything. In order to influence others, you must understand and tap into their deepest motivations. When you can help them connect their work to their why, everyone wins.

Set clearer expectations

Often the gap in behavior, and therefore your frustration and judgment, stems from a difference in expectations. Most people feel like they are doing a good job and accomplishing what is expected of them. Sometimes that is a deluded or distorted view. More often, in my experience, there is a gap between what you expect and what others think is expected of them.

Focus on results, not activity

Often I have found (and I work on it myself) that we look at how many hours people work or how diligent they appear to be as a sign of their "laziness factor." I mean, if people are busy that's good, right? Likely, the better measure is results, not time spent. Perhaps one of the reasons we don't use that measure for others is that we don't want to hold ourselves to it.

©2011, The Kevin Eikenberry Group. All Rights Reserved

Kevin Eikenberry is the leading expert on creating Remarkable Leaders. He is a bestselling author, speaker, trainer, consultant and Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. This article is an expansion of content in his soon-to-be-released book, From Bud to Boss - Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership, written with co-author Guy Harris. Learn more about the book and join a community of learning leaders who are succeeding in making that transition (or helping others do the same).