Motivation Management - Tapa dura

Over a period of many years Sheila and Peter separately carried out research into motivation in the workplace. Both of them field-tested Sheila's motivation profiles with more than 1400 managers around the world. The outcome was a unique set of insights into what makes people work with a will.
The findings are presented here for the first time, identifying 12 forces that drive people at work, including not only obvious factors, like money and recognition, but also equally powerful drives, like variety or the scope to be creative. For each individual there is a combination of factors that will encourage optimum performance, and the manager who understands what is required will inspire outstanding effort. He or she will also avoid the disappointment that can arise from, for example, granting someone more autonomy when their primary need is for structure.

Peter Martin is Managing Director of Arlington Associates. He is a Visiting Fellow at City University Business School.