↗️ What really motivates

“Remember, money is not an actual motivator”, the presenter had shared during the HR briefing I sat in.

It was nearing the end of the second quarter of the year and I was in a mandatory 1h session to prepare Managers like me for upcoming mid-term performance conversations with our team members. I remember how I had heard that line above and got stuck with it, drifting off in my own thinking. It took me a while to understand it.

Salary and Bonuses are strange. We often believe that they motivate us to do our best work, but in fact they are just so-called ‘hygiene factors’. If we don’t have enough of it (for living or for what we perceive as fair), we surely become unhappy. However, having ‘enough’ of it, likely makes us 'just' satisfied, but does not automatically lead to more engagement and productivity.

I had an aha moment, when I learned the difference between hygiene factors and motivators (look up Herzberg's theory). Here they are:

Hygiene factors:

➡️ interpersonal relationships

➡️ company policy / administration

➡️ supervision

➡️ salary

➡️ working conditions

(unacceptable states for these will lead to dissatisfaction and higher turnover)

Motivators:

↗️ achievement

↗️ recognition

↗️ work itself is exciting

↗️ responsibility and ownership

↗️ advancement and progress

(once hygiene factors are addressed, fulfilled motivators get the best out of people. People don't just stay, but are likely to deliver great work!)

I think every Manager out there needs to know and make use of this. I have certainly tried to motivate people the wrong way before. And I am shocked how little known this concept still is!

How well are you doing in motivating those around you?

I wish you productive, motivating conversations next week!