|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Motivation for working: Recognition, Fulfillment or Money?
Written by: Mike RichterArticle Overview: What are key reasons for working? Asking people this question (and I have asked thousands of candidates in my HR Consulting career) will trigger many different kinds of answers, from financial benefits or sheer survival, fulfillment, recognition, status, power, challenges, social interaction, fun, interest, curiosity and personal development, to meaningful contribution, helping others, service and “making the world a better place”. It is obvious that we all do have reasons to invest our time, ideas, thoughts (and sometimes physical power) in order to achieve something, to obtain a certain feeling or to gain other benefits.
 |
Free Download - Pros and Cons of Starting your own Business By Mike Richter |
Motivation for working: Recognition, Fulfillment or Money?
What are key reasons for working? Asking people this question (and I have asked thousands of candidates in my HR Consulting career) will trigger many different kinds of answers, from financial benefits or sheer survival, fulfillment, recognition, status, power, challenges, social interaction, fun, interest, curiosity and personal development, to meaningful contribution, helping others, service and "making the world a better place". It is obvious that we all do have reasons to invest our time, ideas, thoughts (and sometimes physical power) in order to achieve something, to obtain a certain feeling or to gain other benefits.
So what is it we actually want from work? Can the answers be narrowed down to a mainstream set of key factors?
I have worked in executive search in Europe and Asia Pacific for years, and as different as the cultures are, the same applies to the peoples` mindsets. In some markets, and here we need to generalize a bit in order to come to a conclusion, monetary aspects are by far the No. 1 stated reason, whereas in other cultures feeling obliged to serve for a greater purpose or to develop a better society are predominantly mentioned reasons for working.
I have had good mentors throughout my career and have learnt how to dig "deep down" in terms of discovering the real drivers, the core motivation for action. In the large majority of cases the key factors are either held back on purpose (situation: job interview) or not even obvious to the interviewee him-/herself.
Now what is the bottom line?
With very few exceptions (opinion leaders, peace nobel price laureates, artists, discoverers, sports semi-professionals, researchers, Doctors Without Borders et cetera) people work for a single dominant cause: making money. If possible - a fortune. Sometimes people even risk their lives or existence for money.
In the context of work, money, a simple word, nowadays can be broken down into compensation, benefits, company car, housing allowances, stock options, partnership, executive bonuses, severance pay and many others. However, even where other reasons and interests play an increasing role when making a decision for a certain job, seldom do people change employment for the same compensation package or less. You do however see candidates moving from A to B agreeing on a less spectacular title, less power or a company with lower anticipated status - if the money is right. It still remains the most important reason for working.
Modern HR consultants and psychologists would most likely not agree with the made statements; and yes I intend to challenge a bit of contra opinion here! You will find a large variety of - proven - psychological, behaviour or value assessment tools, widely used in the human resources and recruitment industry. But one thing is common to most assessments - the financial security or increase of compensation is taken as a fact, is left out of the equation. Assessments do in most cases not consider the option "if you had to live on a 25% lower budget....". Only few would agree embarking on a lengthy career development path putting personal goals and non-monetary achievements first, with the financial success being projected in the far future.
Recent opinion polls show that the trend of appreciating recognition and other personal reasons over money has gained some momentum. But again, opinion polls do not reveal the true core, as they do not go into deep..
Companies and consultants alike tend to "re-invent the wheel", for various reasons. Of course there are exceptions to the rule. Concerning motivation, most companies would love to have a team of employees valuing hard work, productivity, loyalty and (monetary?) company goals over compensation and benefits. Many have tried hard, but only a few have succeeded in creating a value proposition superior to high income potential.
I would position myself somewhere in the middle. Recognition, status, fulfillment and contribution are some of the reasons for me putting in large efforts to my work. The combination with a very decent compensation is the perfect match. This is what entrepreneurs are looking for.
Ask yourself: What is your motivation?
Related ArticlesAsk yourself: What is your motivation?
The Most Important Sales Leadership Discipline to Motivating Sales Teams
Reasons to Use an Order Fulfillment Service
Building Employee Self Esteem for Bottom Line Results
Zero Reward, Zero Recognition: Will That Be Your Dream Company?
Why Money Can Sometimes Buy "Happiness"
Home
> Small-Business-Consulting
> Mike Richter
> Motivation for working Recognition Fulfillment or Money
Article Tags:
asia pacific,
doctors without borders,
dominant cause,
executive search,
greater purpose,
helping others,
hr consulting,
interviewee,
job interview,
key reasons,
meaningful contribution,
mentors,
monetary aspects,
nobel price,
peace nobel,
personal development,
recognition status,
sheer survival,
social interaction,
time ideas
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com
|
About the Author: Mike Richter RSS for Mike's articles - Visit Mike's website  Click here to visit Mike's website   Pros and Cons of Starting your own Business Motivation for working Recognition Fulfillment or Money |
Related Forum Posts
Re: Finding AND Keeping Good People
- Employee retention or as you mention “Keeping the Good People” is one of the biggest challenges for any growing business. It takes a huge effort from the entrepreneur’s end.
I can come up with the following when it comes to KEEPing the good people-
1. Motivation of the employees
2. Recognition of the needs of the employees
3. Activities to make the employees feel valuable towards the organization
4. Make benefits more accessible
5. Offer profit sharing incentives
6. Create clear career paths at the company
7. Consider telecommuting, job sharing and other flexible working arrangements
8. Incentives are essential and they don't have to be huge
9. Have other managers praise an employee's work
10. Be sensitive to the balance between work and private life
Re: How To Stay Motivated In Your Business
- Motivation spurs people into actions every time. When there is no motivation the reason to move forward seems lost. Thanks so much for this post Evan
Re: Which would you start: a Blog or Online Community?
- It is a difficult decision to make.
Lets start it this way - What are you more interested in? Money? or Friends? or Both?
If its purely Money, then Blog might be an appropriate answer. But consider this - It will be people (visitors) that will bring traffic to your blog and then Money will follow. This will be possible after a time and during this time it will be your friends who will be the starters.
If you are looking for friends only, then its true that not many will be interested in knowing how you have beaten them in the game or the other way round. So it will be preferable to have a Forum where they can share ideas with you and others.
But you can share your insider knowledge with them and invite comments from your Blog. You can also put up information on what others (including your friends) don't know about Tennis. The blog you create can provide News, Inside Information and also Techniques that can be used by the new entrants in the world of Tennis.
Making Money in 2011
- Hello forum members! As we draw closer to the new year I thought it would be appropriate to change the title of our forum category "Making Money in 2010" to "Making Money in 2011" - I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions and wish everyone a prosperous New Year!
QuickBooks vs. Microsoft Money vs....?
- I have always used Microsoft Money to run my business - accounting, invoicing, etc. It came with my computer when I got it and integrated well with my online banking system so everything is a breeze. It only takes 30-60 minutes every quarter to do the bookkeeping (keep in mind that I have a very simple business - no inventory, very little invoicing, I do all my payments by credit card, etc).
Is QuickBooks or Money the best accounting tool for small business owners? Or is there something even better?
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Featured Article
by: Trending Articles
Lesson #3: “Tell ‘em quick and tell ‘em often”
Searching for the Stars: How Yang and Filo Took Their Business to New Heights
Salesperson Wimp-Out: I Need Help 
February 2012 Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter
Please Stop Calling it Coaching!
Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Popular Articles
Convening a focus group for a niche product
E Mail Marketing Campaigns
Why Use an Advertising Agency
Convening a focus group for a niche product
E Mail Marketing Campaigns
Why Use an Advertising Agency
Suggestions
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.