How do you keep your troops motivated?

Leadership by Example is still the best way to motivate the troops. Presenting a positive attitude and showing the troops that you are not just following orders, but actively involved in making sure that everything you do is done correctly and with a good attitude has always been my best way to motivate my Shipmates to do their best at all times.  If I see a working party doing it wrong, I pitch in and do it right, not just stopping and yelling, but showing and teaching as they learn the better way to do things.  It makes no difference if it is loading stores or firefighting (in training) if they are not doing it right, pitch in and show them the best way to do it and keep your attitude positive while correcting their mistakes.  Dangerous or emergency situations my require immediate action of course.

I agree with most of the comments regarding this question.  I believe politeness, courtesy, clear direction and focus are very important.  But what I have done for years is care.  A person who is in a leadership position, if that person truly cares about the person, the whole person, and is willing to demonstrate their caring about that person through communication, awards, discipline and just the simple "getting to know you" approach, it means a lot to the person.  As leaders, I believe we must first care.  Care about the person, listen to the person and give them the tools to be successful and also keep focused on the mission.  

I know Im just a PV2 but one thing that Gets myself motivated is when a commander does what he asks his soldiers to do, for instance I had a DS in Basic Training that did everything we did with our platoon when we went in the mud, so did he, when we were cold, he was cold, there wasnt anything he told us to do that he wasnt willing to do himself, I absolutely respected and greatly appericiated that about him, DS Baker from F Co 2-60th Fort Jackson, I hope one day Ill see him again and can serve under him, not only that But he treated all of us with respect and never favored anyone over another, I was a squad leader at BCT and though he never fired me I thought he shouldve, but when he explained why he didnt I understood why, He wanted to make me see the potential he saw in me, the leader he saw, Ive taken that and used that as motivation even now as Im at my first station Fort Riley KS

Paintball guns.

The biggest way I've seen to get troops motivated, is to show them that they are not alone during a project. If I'm on a detail and i see my SL or PSG doing it, its motivation for me because they are showing that they care. If they are making us do something, with them doing it with us makes it seem a little less rough. Also if you stay interacted with soldiers. I've notice Nco's and Officers who act like they are better than you and that hurts morale. If a 1sg or Commander walk up to anyone and just ask how they are doing or if they are having a good day. It boosts that soldiers confidence. I'm not saying baby the soldier by any means but if leaders stay involved, they will see the motivation rise within them.

Positive reinforcement and strict but fair discipline.

<font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'><font color="#000000">Instill pride by genuinely
recognizing the good work a person does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;
</span>Good work happens all the time, but recognition of that work is seldom acknowledged.
Perhaps it is a factor of getting caught up in the shared workload that causes
leaders to forget to acknowledge the good work when it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Relying on the award at the end of the
assignment period or the annual review is not sufficient. It takes effort and
time. Some techniques I’ve used: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><font color="#000000"><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'>Allow a key contributor to brief senior leaders on a
project and publically praising him or her for that work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It shows the team that you value their work
and will not take sole credit for their work. (This is how my Soldiers started
earning coins.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'>Provide feedback as soon as possible on work
observed/submitted, especially if it is good work. This is especially important
for workers who struggle to perform well in their jobs. (A improvement
/training plan is still part of the solution for weak performers) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><font color="#000000"><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'>Allow them to share the pride they have in their job with
their families – this extends beyond Family Readiness Groups and slide
shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Invite the families to the work
site and let your employees show off and share experiences with their
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A few events that we have had
families attend with the soldiers: Maintenance days (M1A1s), Company Simulation
exercises, and Tank Gunnery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(keep in mind
ALL the safety requirements) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><font color="#000000"><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style='line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;'>Be motivated yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;
</span>Attitude is infectious. Even on the disastrous days, I would remark “We
are learning A LOT today!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">

</font>

Its the little things.  Acknowledging great work and also letting people cut loose now and then; have a few food parties; and get together for beers.  It really helps us all bond, get to know each other and realize we are not machines.   Its better knowing who you work with to better work as a team.  Teambuilding is very important; and takes daily mundane tasks not seem as such of a drudgery. 

I like to motivate my Soldiers by leading from the front. Being an example at work and at home, which will show Soldiers that what ever the task is can be done in a manner that is respectful, honorable and fulfilling.