Who's Responsible for Motivation?

Skip over at Random Thoughts of a CTO picked up on BusinessPundit Rob's conversation about who is to blame for unmotivated employees. They both say that both the employee and manager have responsibility.

Sure, I can agree with that and I like what they both say in their posts. But I also think there is something else that's deeper. Many people hold the assumption that motivation is a thing that can be given, gotten, taken, and/or produced.

When it comes to real motivation, intrinsic motivation (the love of doing something for it's own sake), we are not in control of others but we are totally in control of ourselves.

Rob points out that most employees start a job with lots of desire and motivation. This is partially true, I think. For many people, this changes or fades. The question is, why and who is at fault?

First, I don't think we hold ourselves accountable to a high enough standard. Many people (I struggle with this too) are better starters than finishers and even with the best boss, they get bored and unengaged. The environment tolerates corporate zombies. Some environments attract zombies.

Second, there is something much more fundamental going on here. Our organizations (schools, businesses, families) are not set up to allow motivation and most squelch it big time. Our intrinsic juices might be so deeply covered and dejected that even the best intentions by people or bosses will fail to make a difference.

I see this even with people who say they want to get engaged and be motivated. It's like the cricket in a glass jar with a lid - it learns how high it can jump and won't escape when the lid is removed.

When will our education systems, families, and companies get it? For most, the answer is likely never. I think this is why the boom in entrepreneuralism. Even so, the same inertia plagues well intended innovators.

We have to reject a lot of programming to be our most motivated (our animated and courageous selves). Imagine what the world would feel like with high intrinsic motivation as the norm!

I think the key to motivation is LOVE and FREEDOM - and the willingness to unlearn A LOT.

Comments

[alopeciahope]

Hello!!

I was reading your blog and wanted to thank you for sharing your ideas about motivation.
Your article reminded me of a conference I attended for "Women In
Technology" (WITI) in Los Angeles, CA last year. At that conference I had
the awesome opportunity to meet Marcia Wieder.

She and I spoke about overcoming fears to achieve our dreams.
Although my time with her was brief, I learned from "America's Dream Coach"
about the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone so I could achieve
my dreams. At that time I really did not know who this precious woman was
but later learned she had been on Oprah and PBS-TV.

Marcia's brief touch on my life made a great impact on me. Recently I
discovered her blog at http://www.dreamcoachdirect.com/ and
a Maui Dream Retreat she is giving away!!! The Maui Dream
Retreat includes a week in Maui with Marcia, roundtrip airfare, and accomodations!!
I thought you might be interested in what she had to say as well.

May all of our dreams come true!!

Gina

www.alopeciahopeblog.com

[Anna]

I believe that motivation comes from within-there is a good look at this on the blog http://mabelandharry.blogspot.com/2006/04/understanding-motivation.html
which says that you cannot motivate people to do what you want...worth a read, made me think about how try and motivate but from my perspective not the recipients?
Really enjoy your blog by the way !

[Lisa Haneberg]

Anna - Thanks for your thoughts and for the link - I will check it out!