Last updated on Jun 7, 2024

Here's how you can motivate and inspire your team members as an intern.

As an intern, you might think your ability to lead and inspire is limited, but that's far from the truth. Even without a formal leadership title, you can significantly influence your team's motivation and morale. By embodying enthusiasm, demonstrating commitment, and showing respect for your colleagues' ideas and contributions, you can set a positive tone that encourages others. Remember, leadership isn't just a position; it's a mindset. Your proactive approach and willingness to take initiative can inspire your team members to follow suit, creating a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

1 Lead by Example

To motivate your team, start by being a role model. Your dedication and work ethic set the standard for others. Show enthusiasm for the tasks at hand, even the mundane ones, and tackle challenges with a can-do attitude. Your positivity will be contagious, encouraging your teammates to match your level of commitment. Demonstrating reliability and accountability in your work will also earn you respect and influence within the team, even as an intern.

Add your perspective

Noran Buzgaia

🔅LinkedIn's Top Voice | TechWomen Alumna 23 | Certified Trainer & Facilitator | MH Advocate | Passion seeker
Interns often face high expectations to exceed the norm for their team or department, which can feel overwhelming. However, one way to navigate this pressure is by taking unique initiatives that others may not be offering. For instance, you can create weekly reports that showcase best practices, lessons learned, and areas for improvement, which you then share with your entire team during your internship. This approach not only leads by example but also provides the organization with valuable insights from an outsider's perspective, offering a fresh viewpoint on procedures and workflow.
Like
Report contribution
Tenaya Swann RN, C-DAM, CHFP

Director of Clinical Appeals at Discovery Behavioral Health
In my experience, you lead by having a standard of excellence. Looking back, I quickly became a subject matter expert in my field because I was consistent, reliable, prepared, not afraid to volunteer for projects, and I was willing to share what I know. Your hard work and dedication can make you more influential and impactful as a newbie on your team than someone who has tenure but adds no value.
Like
Report contribution

2 Open Communication

Encourage open dialogue within your team by actively listening and showing genuine interest in your colleagues' perspectives. Facilitate an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. This not only fosters a sense of belonging but also leads to innovative solutions and better team cohesion. As an intern, your fresh perspective can be invaluable, so don't hesitate to contribute your thoughts while also valuing the input of others.

Add your perspective

3 Empower Others

Empowerment is key to motivation. As an intern, you can empower your teammates by acknowledging their strengths and encouraging them to take on new challenges. By showing confidence in their abilities, you help build their self-esteem and commitment to the team's goals. Offering support and resources when needed also demonstrates your investment in their success, which can further motivate and inspire your colleagues.

Add your perspective

Tenaya Swann RN, C-DAM, CHFP

Director of Clinical Appeals at Discovery Behavioral Health
I wholeheartedly agree. Empowering your team members should be a priority whether you’re new on a team or the most senior. We’ve all worked with people who gate keep or only prioritize their personal successes. Yikes… don’t be that person. Look for ways to be collaborative and be inclusive. Encourage your team’s input on assignments and be willing to share what you know. Offer help when you see someone struggling. Be a servant leader.
Like

(edited)
Report contribution

4 Recognize Achievements

Recognition goes a long way in boosting morale. Take the time to celebrate the accomplishments of your team members, no matter how small. A simple 'thank you' or acknowledgment of someone's hard work can make a significant difference in their motivation. As an intern, your appreciation for your colleagues' efforts shows that you value their contributions, which can inspire continued excellence and team spirit.

Add your perspective

5 Encourage Growth

Inspire your teammates by promoting a growth mindset. Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities to learn and develop new skills. As an intern, you're in a unique position to ask questions and seek advice, which can create a learning culture within the team. By sharing what you learn and showing enthusiasm for professional development, you can motivate others to pursue their own growth paths.

Add your perspective

6 Lead with Integrity

Lastly, integrity is the cornerstone of effective leadership. As an intern, always be honest and ethical in your dealings with team members. Uphold your commitments and be transparent about your limitations. When you lead with integrity, you build trust within the team, which is essential for fostering an environment where motivation and inspiration can thrive. Your example will encourage others to act with the same level of honesty and respect.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Aswin Ravichandran

INSEAD Executive MBA| Supply Chain
From my time being an intern, one thing I realized is that I could leverage both my academic and professional networks. For my project, I was able to reach out to my professors who were kind enough to share their perspectives which helped me expand my horizon and contribute more to the team. Also, an added advantage of being an intern is the access to the organization across functions who are normally willing to share their experiences which could augment facets of team's working process. I feel that interns can contribute to the team's functioning with their strong academic knowledge, new perspectives and more importantly the next generation mindset essential for transformations.
Like
Report contribution

Here's how you can motivate and inspire your team members as an intern.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Lead by Example

2 Open Communication

3 Empower Others

4 Recognize Achievements

5 Encourage Growth

6 Lead with Integrity

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Team Leadership

More relevant reading

Here's how you can motivate and inspire your team members as an intern.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Lead by Example

2 Open Communication

3 Empower Others

4 Recognize Achievements

5 Encourage Growth

6 Lead with Integrity

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills