Modern businesses have to be adaptable, innovative, and strategically focused on long-term prospects. Innovations allow companies to adapt to the rapid economic changes in the context of digitalization and global competition. Innovative development depends on employees who are ready for continuous learning and search for new solutions. In this regard, an innovative enterprise requires an effective system of strategic motivation that reveals the labor potential of its staff and encourages their active participation in innovations. The article describes the strategic motivation system as part of an innovative business. The authors studied the most relevant definitions of strategic motivation, analyzed the impact of strategic motivation on labor activity, and identified the basic development principles for an effective strategic motivation system. This research relied on the theory of strategy and the methodology of strategizing developed by Professor V. L. Kvint. It also featured a comprehensive review of scientific publications on strategic motivation in innovative development. The article introduces an authentic interpretation of innovative strategic motivation, its principles, and an assessment scale, as well as means of increasing personnel involvement. An efficient strategic motivation system encourages the innovative activity of employees, as well as increases their professional skills, performance, and labor potential, which ultimately improves the strategic results of an innovative company.