How to Captivate/Motivate/Inspire my Teammates?

[Marcellus]

Guys,

I play sports for my team and since I'm one of the better players, I'm in a sort of leadership position. I wouldn't say I'm looked up to, but there is a lot of respect towards me from all players and I'm friends with pretty much everyone. Our Team is sitting at Mid-Table and it's very early in the season, we have that sort of team that can win pretty much any game on any given day, but at the moment it's not happening and we've lost some consecutive matches. Team morale and confidence is slowly going down.

What I wanted to know is how do I motivate/inspire and captivate my Teammates to push themselves? How can I become that go-to guy that people can always count on to bring everyone back up, to lift team spirits and to captivate and inspire us to victory with his words?

I'm in that position where I usually speak during our huddles before the game and at half-time. Words of encouragement " We're still in it" or " It's a game of two halves and we can beat this team". That sort of thing.
For example to show you what I'm talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bzK8r4c6Xc It's Al Pacino's speech from Any given Sunday. Even something like Coach Carter where he inspires that horrible team to heights that they didn't even dream of. Another example would be Mel Gibson in braveheart, he inspires the Scottish to fight against the English who have a much bigger army than they do.

Is it focusing on the positives? Do I tell everyone what I expect from them? Do I bring up the fact that we have nothing to lose but everything to gain if we're facing a better side? What exactly do people want to hear to feel inspired? To feel like we're actually still in this game even when the chips are down?

In Chase's Article 'How to Master Anything' he said that he's effectively mastered Motivational/Inspirational speaking.
Well I'm in a leadership role within my own team now and we can do great things this year, I just know it! And what I'd like to know is how do I show them and make them fully believe that we can do great things. I wouldn't say I'm the next Chase Amante or Ray Rice in motivational speaking but I'd love to start somewhere.

Marcellus

 

[Lover]

I hope you have had better games since this post.

If I were in your position, I'd once in a while add a message like "I believe in you, guys. We can do this!". You have the authority to tell them it doesn't matter what you go through. You believe in them regardless. And hopefully, it inspires them to feel that "Captain believes in us despite all these drawbacks, we might as well give it our all".

Another thing you can try is to make them say that they believe they can win. This is best to do right before a round is starting because they need it right there when they enter the court. Ask simple questions with a vibe that suggests victory. So imagine this little scenario where the judge is about to call you to the court, and you have a final word to share with them. You sound like you have already won, and it transfers to them:

Marcellus: Alright guys. WHO ARE WE?
Them: TEAM X
Marcellus: WHY ARE WE HERE?
Them: TO WIN!
Marcellus: SAY IT AGAIN!
Them: TO WIN!
Marcellus: AND WHEN DO WE WANT THE VICTORY?
Them: RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

Something like that lol

If you have a team motto, that's even better. It's one thing when the coach or captain is talking, but involving them makes them believe more in victory.

 

[Lotus]

The thing with leading is you need your people to believe in you and your abilities/efforts before you can inspire them. Just because you are one of the better players doesn't make you a leader or inspirational for the rest of the team.

Using your Coach Carter example, at the beginning he couldn't inspire or motivate them to do anything for him. He had to work to earn their trust and respect before he could begin to inspire. Same thing with your team. You may be one of the better players, but do you work the hardest? Do you always show up? Do you fight for your team?

Don't focus on the words in pre-game huddles, focus on the actions. Seeing someone work their ass of to make a huge tackle is inspiring and motivating.

Obviously some people are gifted speakers and can inspire that way.... but they are going to be hallow words if you can't back it up with actions.

That being said.... people are emotional, if you want to get the to respond you need to stimulate some sort of emotion.

Lotus