In motivating people, you've got to engage their minds and their

The words of Rupert Murdoch — “In motivating people, you've got to engage their minds and their hearts. I motivate people, I hope, by example — and perhaps by excitement, by having productive ideas to make others feel involved” — echo with the wisdom of ages past, though spoken in the voice of the modern world. In this reflection lies not merely the art of leadership, but the deeper craft of awakening the human spirit. For to motivate is not to command, nor to coerce; it is to stir both reason and passion, to awaken the sleeping forces within others so they might rise of their own accord. The ancients would have called this the balance of logos and pathos — the marriage of mind and heart, intellect and emotion, clarity and fire.

In every age, there have been rulers who sought to move men by fear, and there have been leaders who inspired them by faith. The first may build empires, but the second builds loyalty and legacy. Murdoch’s insight reveals that true influence is not born from authority, but from example — the living proof of belief made visible through action. The one who leads must first be what they wish others to become. The one who would ignite others must first carry the flame within. It is not words alone that awaken others, but the radiance of conviction made real.

Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, who, though commanding legions, often fought beside his soldiers, sharing their dangers, their hunger, their triumphs. When his men crossed deserts and their throats burned with thirst, he refused to drink from the waters offered to him unless all could drink. In that act — simple yet profound — he engaged both their minds and their hearts. Their intellect saw his fairness; their hearts felt his solidarity. His armies marched not only for conquest, but for him. Thus was motivation achieved not through speeches or rewards, but through example.

Murdoch’s mention of excitement and productive ideas speaks to another truth: that energy is contagious. The one who approaches work with dullness kills the spirit of those around them, but the one whose eyes shine with vision awakens creation in others. When a leader shares their ideas with genuine enthusiasm — not for glory, but for progress — they create a sacred space where others feel involved, valued, and alive. For involvement is not mere participation; it is belonging. It is the transformation of “their goal” into “our goal,” and that, the ancients knew, is the root of all greatness.

Yet, this form of motivation demands more than charisma; it requires humility. To engage the mind, one must respect the intellect of others. To engage the heart, one must honor their emotions. The wise leader listens as much as they speak, learning the rhythm of those they guide. A leader’s role is not to shine alone, but to draw light from the many. The master musician does not drown the orchestra — he conducts it. So too must the leader harmonize the minds and hearts around him, guiding each note toward the shared melody of purpose.

This principle stretches beyond leadership into every realm of human connection. Parents, teachers, artists, and builders all carry the same duty: to inspire others not by force, but by presence, not by demand, but by devotion. The heart of all motivation is the recognition of humanity — that others, too, seek meaning, and wish to be part of something greater than themselves. When we give them that chance, when we show them by our deeds that the work matters, they will rise — not for us, but with us.

From Murdoch’s words, we may draw this enduring lesson: if you wish to lead, first become the example of what you hope to see. Cultivate ideas that serve others, not just yourself. Let your enthusiasm be real, and your discipline unwavering. Speak to both the mind and the heart, for neither alone will carry a soul far. Engage the reason with clarity, and the emotion with purpose, and you will find that people follow not because they must — but because they believe.

So, to all who would move others — whether in a company, a family, or a cause — remember this: the truest leadership is a mirror of the spirit. Inspire by action, ignite by vision, and connect by heart. Let your example be your speech, and your excitement the spark that kindles others. For when both mind and heart are awakened, even the smallest group can achieve what once seemed divine.