What motivates you at work?
Sometimes we feel unfulfilled about our work!
I have had many conversations over the past few months with different friends about the topic of “work”. The main discussion revolved around their struggles at their jobs. Some of them felt unhappy or experienced job burnout, while others felt they were not in the right position. As they spoke, I compared their experiences to my own and reached the following conclusions about myself: I felt unhappy on some days about my work, and I also realized I was not in the right position. Here, I’ll share my experiences and explore the key factors that drive work motivation. These are personal reflections, so please enjoy reading without judgment! :)
Gene Kim called “Focus, Flow & Joy” in The Unicorn Project
Team
I know you understand the importance of teamwork, but how do we describe the “best team”? When I work with people, I always try to see the beauty in their character because doing so enables me to work better with them. While we may not always have a choice in the team we work with, we can strive to be the kind of person others would like to work alongside.
I have discovered what I consider the best team member — someone who consistently supports others and has a passion for exploration. In my opinion, individuals who can both listen and take action have the most significant impact on a team. Unfortunately, I’ve come across many coworkers who only listen without having the courage to help or the curiosity to explore. On the other hand, those who take action without listening can be self-centered and less cooperative.
So I can say three main things about the “best team” (we know there are more!): Courage, curiosity, and self-driven.
Manager
Yeah, I don’t want to give too many details about how the manager can affect our motivation to work. Here’s the shortest story: Imagine you have a manager with very bad, moody, and toxic behavior, as well as very poor leadership… Can you be motivated to work? Of course not!
I have seen many examples of various managers, and here are my observations: The good managers are those who can orchestrate the team effectively, support their growth (in many different ways, feedback, appreciation, learning…!), work as role models, and always strive to improve themselves.
What Do I Need?
I have always been motivated by asking myself, “What do I need to work on next?” along with a bunch of other questions like “Do I like what I work on?” So my answer is, “What is the value I’m trying to provide through this work?” and then list the following:
- Value to myself
- Value to the company
- Value to the people around me
Otherwise, I might be working in the wrong place!
By identifying each value, I can better understand what I need! These are my motivations :)
Culture and Environment
Alright, readers, are you still with me? Cool!
When thinking about the work environment, I consider how it supports me. A flexible work environment, where productivity can happen anywhere and anytime, is valuable. Culture can be taught by example, and I appreciate environments that value individual opinions, encourage learning, foster effective communication, and embrace cultural intelligence. Understanding and respecting cultural and individual differences are essential for successful collaboration worldwide.
“If your business success relies on your ability to work successfully with people from around the world, you need to have an appreciation for cultural differences as well as respect for individual differences. Both are essential.” — Excerpt From The Culture Map, Erin Meyer
Growth and Career Development
What keeps me motivated to stay in my career when I don’t see any growth? The well-established Goal Setting Theory sheds light on this question. According to research conducted by Locke of the University of Maryland, people are more productive when they are motivated by clear goals and receive appropriate feedback. Applying the Goal Setting Theory to our careers not only boosts productivity but also feels a sense of satisfaction.
While we all agree on the importance of salary, have you considered the development aspect? In our rapidly evolving world, continuous self-improvement is essential. Career growth is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s also about how our work nurtures and sustains our curiosity and passion for growth.
I always take time to check my work motivation and ask myself, “Am I in the right position and still happy?”
Now, I’m curious to read from you too: How do you stay motivated at work? Share your story with me, and let’s inspire each other!
