I received an English email from my cousin, who is studying in Switzerland. He wrote, “Be the Prides.” He explained that lions, brave animals that live in groups in Kenya, live together in what is called a pride, and the lions that lead the group are often associated with leadership and strength. He said the phrase carries a double meaning: Melvin University is committed to creating leaders for the world, and the word “pride” itself expresses confidence, dignity, and a sense of belonging.
First, I felt grateful. The reason is simple. It is not always easy for our students at Melvin University to feel proud of themselves or their university. Therefore, it was touching to hear someone say, “Be the Prides.” When I showed the phrase to our Vice President, John Ogillah, he immediately replied, “It’s a very good motto.”
Until now, our university motto has been expressed through words such as faith, honesty, hard work, and vision.These are all good and important values. But when I think about them, they have a somewhat static quality. They are mainly nouns or concepts that describe what we value.
“Be the Prides,” however, is different. It is dynamic. It is a call to become something. It touches the heart and challenges students to live differently. It does not simply tell them what the university believes; it tells them what they can become.
This made me think about the power of a useful word or sentence. How much can a simple phrase influence our lives? How many times have encouragement, a lecture, a book, or even one sentence changed the direction of our thinking?
It also caused me to think more deeply about motivation.
There are many theories about motivation, but when I think about my own experience, several simple things come to mind.
- Giving information can create motivation.
Rev. Melvin never directly told me what I should do. Instead, he continually gave me information about what was happening and what was possible. As I received that information, motivation arose from within me.
Sometimes people do not need someone to push them. They simply need enough information to see the possibility for themselves.
- Understanding people’s needs creates motivation.
Knowing another person’s needs and responding to them is another important form of motivation. The closer we become to people, the more clearly we understand what they need.
When we talk about those needs—or, even more importantly, when we listen to them—we help people discover their own motivation.
Good motivation is often not something we put into people; it is something we help people discover within themselves.
- A timetable creates motivation.
Giving a timetable can also be a powerful motivator. Almost everything needs a beginning and an ending.
When people know when something will begin, what needs to happen, and when it should be completed, they are more likely to act. A timetable turns an idea into a commitment.
- Light agreement can encourage people.
Even a simple expression of agreement can affect motivation. When someone shares an idea with us, saying, “That sounds good,” or “I think you can do it,” can give that person courage to move forward.
However, if we immediately add objections, corrections, or too many changes to their idea, our agreement can lose its encouraging power. Instead of feeling supported, the person may feel rejected.
Sometimes people need encouragement before they need correction.
- Feedback keeps people connected.
Feedback also has a powerful effect on motivation. Without feedback, people may begin to feel that we are indifferent to what they are doing.
Even a brief response can communicate, “I see you. I know what you are doing. It matters to me.”
That simple connection can give people renewed energy.
This is why I am increasingly convinced that motivation is not always about pushing people. It is often about giving them information, understanding their needs, providing a clear timetable, offering encouragement, and giving meaningful feedback.
Perhaps this is also why “Be the Prides”touched me so deeply.
It is not merely a slogan.
It says to our students:
Do not simply attend Melvin University. Become someone.
Do not simply receive an education. Become a leader.
Do not simply belong to the university. Take pride in who you are becoming.
And perhaps most importantly:
Do not wait for someone else to make you a leader. Be the Pride.