Importance of a motivated staff

As we talked today about what motivates and keeps teachers in education and why people leave, I was struck by the consistent need to monitor motivation and how it contradicted with what my superintendent said in the interview I did of him for EDL 505. His thought echoed what I've read in Jim Collins' book Good to Great--if you get the right people in the right seats, you don't have to worry about motivation. He said he didn't consider motivation a part of his job at all--he relies more on the hiring process and the retention of self-motivated people. I think the reality here is that, regardless of how motivated people may be, we are all human and there are dips from time to time that should be addressed. Some people become jaded over time or after a particular event or conflict. Since we are all human and live in a human world working with people there are bound to be dips and changes in motivation. Maybe the idea of "developing a good attitude" from one of the scenarios is a valid point--maintaining energy and drive despite the daily grind and the disappointments is essential for students, teachers and administrators. And as educational leaders, administrators have an important role to lead by example and positive communication.