How Motivation Drives Performance – Friend Profile

So we’ve seen how Defenders, those who are driven by security, can maintain and increase their motivation levels.  Now let’s take a look at the Friend.

If you have Friend as one of your top motivators, you need to belong to a community – an organisation, a team, a group, etc – with which you share values.  You enjoy building relationships with other people at work and you tend to work more collaboratively.  You may not like a job, but will stick around if you like the people.  You don’t like conflict and will avoid cold-calling at all costs!

So what can you do if you don’t feel part of a team?  Firstly, take a look at your role and ask yourself it is team-based.  If not, are there any other teams around you that you could be a part of – this may be people who work at the same location, or perhaps you could be part of a virtual team, such as an account sales team.

Next check your working habits.  Do you isolate yourself by working at home or always travelling alone?  Could you be in the office more, could you travel with a colleague?  You may be someone who likes the social aspects of work, so why don’t you organise something for the team?  If you are self-employed or run your own business it is important to find partners to collaborate with – sometimes just to share an office with.

Next Tuesday : Expert – the need for mastery.