Why do people do (or not do) things? It’s all a matter of motivation. If you can provide the right motivation, then people will do as you ask: if not, they won’t… So, here are my top 20 ways to motivate people on your projects.
This video is safe for viewing in the workplace.
This is learning, so, sit back and enjoy
Twenty things that can motivate people
There are a lot of things that can motivate us and your job is to figure out which will have the biggest impact and the greatest integrity in the situation you find yourself in.
The Basics Ways to Motivate People
1. The Carrot – incentives, bonuses, bribes, and rewards are intrinsically motivating. They appeal directly to the biggest motivator of all…
2. Self-interest – do I need to say more?
3. The Stick – threats, penalties, coercion… of course they work; but do you want to be the sort of person to use them?
4. Curiosity – killed the cat, but attracts us all to varying degrees. After all, why are you still reading?
Motivating People by appealing to their Fundamental needs
Abraham Maslow, without empirical research, suggested six powerful motivators. Others added insights and tinkered with the language.
5. Existence – survival and meeting all of our basic physical needs. Use this as a motivator explicitly, and it will feel like a stick to most people.
6. Continued Existence – being safe and secure comes next, but its very much more of the same.
7. Relationships – we have a fundamental need to belong because we are social creatures, so the chance to feel part of a group will motivate most of us.
8. Recognition – … and once we are in a group, we will be motivated by the chance to win recognition for what we do and, better still, enhance our…
9. Status – because status gives power and some people crave this heartily.
10. A Sense of Achievement – and for some, what matters more is that they truly feel proud of themselves, regardless of what others think: self-esteem.
Transformational Ways to Motivate People
Maslow also talked about ‘self-actualization’ – being the best you can possibly be.
11. Mastery – becoming competent and then truly excellent at something is highly motivating – ‘autotelic’ means intrinsically motivating.
12. Growth – …but even as a master, who wants to stand still – the opportunity to continue to grow is a motivator.
13. Purpose – but why do we want to master something and grow – we all need a purpose: to answer the BIG question: why?
14. Contribution – for some people the need to contribute is their purpose and for others it is a motivator that supplements their primary needs.
‘It’s me and me alone’: Motivate People with Intrinsic Motivators
Some motivations are entirely about what we need, deep inside. These are intrinsic motivators and they are particularly useful at work.
15. Autonomy – Richard Ryan And Edward Deci identified the need for personal autonomy as part of their ‘Self Determination Theory – SDT’ (along with relationships and growth).
16. Control – we work hard to feel in control of our environment and our future to the extent that it is both carrot and stick – without control, we experience stress.
17. Certainty – we look for certainty and, with it, we can cede a measure of control…
18. Variety – but, with too much certainty, we get bored: we need some uncertainty to shake us up and keep us feeling alive and alert.
‘Yet no person is an island’: Motivate People with their Social Needs
19. Duty – duty is a big motivator – go ask the Marines!
20. Applause – yes, some people need that limelight adoration, but we all need a little bit of cheering on when we are struggling and applause when we succeed.
Recommended Videos
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:
- The Single Best Team Effectiveness Tool | Video
- Top 10 Ways to Inspire Your Stakeholders and Team | Video
- Agony Angels: Team Members Not Pulling their Weight – with Stuart Taylor
- Top 10 Ways to Make an Enthusiastic Team | Video
- Build High-Performing Project Teams – Conversation with Charles Vivian
- Team Refresh: 10 Ways to Give New Life to a Tired Team | Video
- Motivating a Virtual Team [Livestream]
- 10 Ways to Say Thank You to Your Team | Video
Recommended articles
- Project Team Motivation [Everything You Need to Know]
- Ten Ways to Win Team Commitment on Your Project
- What You Need to Know about Building a Great Project Team
- Effective Teamwork: Do You Know How to Make it Happen?
- Boost Your Project Team Performance with these Hacks
- Project Team Burnout: Do You Know How to Prevent Employee Burnout?
What Kit does a Project Manager Need?
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
Learn Still More
For more great Project Management videos, please subscribe to the OnlinePMCourses YouTube channel.
If you want basic Management Courses – free training hosted on YouTube, with 2 new management lessons a week, check out our sister channel, Management Courses.
For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
How to Motivate People - 20 Ways to Give Motivation | Video Click To Tweet