How Do You Motivate People?

[asphaltgambler]

I'm asking this initially, in the context of a government work setting. IE - You are a managing / responsible for a small-to medium group of people.

I was asked this in a recent panel interview for a higher position. I believe I answered it correctly to their criteria. But - I'd like to know what the response would be from others here, both in that environment as well as philosophically - also if anyone here think there IS any difference.

Thanks!

[KFC911]

Top performers are motivated from within...best thing you can do is stay out of their way and don't piss 'em off .

The rest....I dunno...

[Chocaholic]

Motivation is a very individual process. You can't begin to assess your leadership strategy without first understanding what makes each individual tick. There's no cookie cutter answer. I see talented people fail because leadership won't take the time or apply the effort to create an environment that motivates on an individual level.

A critical trait of a strong leader that many overlook...consistency.

A lengthy discussion and I'm sure there will be some interesting responses.

[wdfifteen]

In the context of the government work setting I worked in, about the only motivator that i saw working was fear. There were no clear-cut goals, no good metric to measure success. Even in aerospace research, which should have been exciting and motivating itself, the job was boring.
OTOH, when I worked in GM engineering I saw the same thing. The guys were more interested in the price of GM stock they owned than in cars.

[Jim Bremner]

I've never met a motivated G'vrnment employee. Power hungry yes, but motivated? What is the position?

[asphaltgambler]

I like the responses so far. Part of my answer is in agreement with Chocholic. As a manager, I believe that 1 person cannot motivate or cause another to 'move' with words or will. Rather, a good manager understands the human condition, referring to this all people can be motivated - but you have to understand what motivates them individually...........................

[asphaltgambler]

Shop Supervisor............

[legion]

Motivation comes from within. At best, as a manager, you can tap into what motivates some people and direct it towards the work that needs to be done. At worst, someone just plain doesn't respond to anything in your toolbox.

Some people are motivated by money. Some by time off. Some by a sense of accomplishment. Some want to be busy. Some want to do work quickly so they can go back to being lazy. Some just hate their job and don't want to do it.

[Rick Lee]

What happens when your own manager is not motivated? What do you do then? I'm starting to feel this way in my new job. His lack of a sense of urgency is motivating me to ask for more training, so I can do some of the things on my own I currently have to have him do. As I understood the job requirements, I'm only supposed to uncover and qualify leads, send to him and then he demos and closes. It's taking him more than 24 hours to send out WebEx meeting invites now, by which time the customer already has other commitments booked, and then we have to start all over on finding a time that works for everyone. I have no idea what the boss's bonus incentive or quota is, so I can't frame anything in those terms to motivate him.

[Chocaholic]

Edit....important to understand what motivates individuals and equally important to understand what demotivates them.

[Borders Reivers]

Raw fear. As in Gulag. Works every time.

[Vipergrün]

Yep, YOU cannot motivate people, but you can understand what motivates them. I have a team of 5-6, some like constant affirmation, some like to be left alone, some like recognition for others it's financial or personal time / work life balance.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Borders Reivers

Raw fear. As in Gulag. Works every time.

Only until they get tired of you and quit or start planning to stab you in the back.
Edit:
Note to self: don't trust Borders Reivers

[jamesnmlaw]

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Borders Reivers

Raw fear. As in Gulag. Works every time.

Only works if employee really needs the job, can't easily find another at similar pay or their personal situation is such that they can't commute to elsewhere or work from home for another company. Fortunately, I haven't been in that position for a while. The only true fear an employer could strike in my heart now is to make me think I'm wasting my time with them.

[Por_sha911]

What motivates people? Like many said, it is a case by case basis.
The more important question is: What makes a good supervisor/manager? Loyalty. When I know that my sup has my back and will fight for me, I will do things I don't want to do to help them. If they are just pushing an agenda or policy then they get push back. The "problem" with this is it takes time to build trust and respect.

[1990C4S]

I find it is better to give people what they need to do their job. Most people want to do a good job, but there are too many obstacles.

Remove the obstacles and fire the ones that don't perform.

[Borders Reivers]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Only until they get tired of you and quit or start planning to stab you in the back.
Edit:
Note to self: don't trust Borders Reivers

LOL Always a good idea...

[Evans, Marv]

I had two supervisors/employers during my working time that stand out in my mind. They both shared two of the traits that made them successful at motivating their people. They both expressed confidence in their employees abilities to do a good job and let the employees know it but not in the way it was over done. The other trait was something most people don't seem to consider, & that was listening to and talking to employees in private in the employment setting. One employer I had in the private sector would always take an employee into his office, shut the door, and create a sort of exclusive atmosphere when talking to them in a private way. People working for him were always comfortable bringing questions, concerns, & asking for advice. He also used the same atmosphere of privacy when it came to counseling people about doing better.

[wdfifteen]

This was on the radio a couple days ago. Very pertinent to the OP's question.

Listen to the Aug 21 How to be a Better Boss episode.

On Point with Tom Ashbrook | Podcasts : NPR