Motivation at Work - Open Source Innovations

Motivation at Work

One of my executive coaching clients is working on increasing his ability to inspire his executive leadership team to become better at motivating company employees. I am coaching him to become a better at appealing to peoples’ intrinsic motivation and values, and helping leaders at all levels of the organization become more fully engaged.

The CEO of his company knows that for the organization to thrive depends on all company leaders to be highly skilled at motivating others. Human Resources is partnering with me in supporting senior leaders to motivate others 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 intrinsic motivation.

Open Source Innovations

Innovative methods of motivating people at work have become more important as our society moves from a manufacturing-based economy to one of knowledge and services.

Carrots and sticks continue to provide effective incentive and motivation for work tasks that are routine and repetitive. But for jobs that require complex creativity, intrinsic motivation works best.

As proof, examine the case of two companies that set out to publish online encyclopedias:
1. Microsoft hired the best people and devoted considerable funds to achieve Encarta.
2. A global force of volunteers created Wikipedia with no budget or salaries.
Encarta no longer exists, while Wikipedia thrives as a fully functional volunteer project.

Most businesses haven’t caught up to this new understanding of what motivates us. Too many organizations, governments and nonprofits still operate from assumptions about human potential and individual performance — ideas that are clearly outdated and ineffective. They continue to pursue short-term incentive plans and pay-for-performance schemes in the face of evidence against them.

Are you working in a company or law firm where some leaders still seem to be motivating others with external reinforcements? Does your company or law firm provide leadership coaching and leadership development to help leaders develop better skills 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 innovative in motivating others by appealing to their core values and intrinsic motivation?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching and leadership development for leaders to be better 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 core values and intrinsic motivation is a core 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.