Intrinsic Motivation and a Higher Purpose - Creating a State of Flow

Intrinsic Motivation and a Higher Purpose

One of my CEO executive coaching clients is working with her executive leadership team to create an organizational culture that unleashes employees’ intrinsic motivation. I am coaching her to become a better at appealing to employees’ intrinsic motivation and core values, and helping leaders at all levels of the organization become more fully engaged.

The CEO knows that for the organization to thrive depends on creating an organizational culture that nourishes constant innovation. Human Resources is partnering with me in supporting senior leaders to motivate people by building authentic relationships. Our current executive coaching and leadership consulting work is also focused on helping leaders throughout the organization increase their ability to motivate team members by tapping into their purpose and values.

Creating Flow

People are most productive and satisfied when their work puts them in a state of “flow” — more commonly recognized as being “in the zone.” In the flow state, one experiences a heightened sense of focus and a generally higher sense of satisfaction.

What we know about flow is primarily based on the work of psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, whose seminal book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, describes it as the moment in which “a person’s body or mind is stretched to the limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”

You can’t give people the opportunity to create “flow” experiences without providing autonomy, time to practice and improve mastery, and a sense of higher purpose.

Are you working in a company or law firm where leaders attempt to motivate others with external reinforcements? Does your company or law firm provide leadership coaching to help leaders get better at motivating others? During tough economic times, leaders at all levels need to motivate others to get work done.

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Am I helping to create a work climate and culture
where people are in a state of flow?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching and leadership development for leaders to be more innovative at motivating others.

Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you create an organizational culture where the ability to motivate people based on values and purpose is a critical competency for leaders. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm.

I am currently accepting new executive coaching, career coaching, and leadership consulting clients. I work with both individuals and organizations. Call 415-546-1252 or send an inquiry e-mail to mbrusman@workingresources.com