How Motivation Drives Performance – Searcher Profile

Motivation is a complex subject, as we discovered in the Introduction to How Motivation Drives Performance.

Probably the most prevalent motivator is the Searcher – the need to make a difference at work, to do a good job, to improve the quality of work and life.

If you have Searcher as one of your top motivators, you will need to know that you are delivering a great service to your customers, whether they are internal or external to your business. For that reason you need quality feedback which relates directly to the difference that you make in order to maintain and raise your level of motivation at work.

For example, some managers only give feedback when things go wrong. Not only is this poor leadership, because it creates a negative working environment, it has a direct impact on every employee who has Searcher in their top motivators. If they never receive that positive feedback they will start to question whether they are valued in their role and within the organisation. If this happens over an extended time period then the employee will ultimately look for alternatives, and more likely outside of the organisation.

What can you do? If you are in this situation, seek feedback from your manager, peers, and customers. Not all the time, but enough to help you know that you are doing something important and that others see the benefit of your hard work.

Next Tuesday : Spirit – the need for autonomy