How Motivation Drives Performance – Spirit Profile

So we’ve seen how Searchers, those of us who are driven by making a difference, can maintain and increase their motivation levels.  Now let’s take a look at the Spirit.

If you have Spirit as one of your top motivators, you will need freedom, autonomy.  You are independent and happy to work alone, so long as you are allowed to make decisions on your own.  For that reason you are best motivated when you are your own boss – either literally running a business, or that your boss trusts you enough to leave you to your own devices.

Unfortunately, some managers respond to stress – typically from their bosses – by micro-management.  They feel they need to gain more control of a situation and your freedom is suddenly curtailed, which seriously de-motivates you.

What can you do?  Firstly, bear in mind that where Spirit is your top motivator, you are likely to be difficult to manage and will push boundaries to the limit.  This will put your boss under more stress and they will want more control – the start of a downward spiral perhaps.  Better to find out what information your boss really needs to know to get their boss off their back, and help them.  Agree how often they need that information and find the balance between reporting and being allowed to deliver your goals.

Next Tuesday : Creator – the need for innovation

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