This is one of the most discussed topics and in a way one of the greatest challenges at every level and not only where one has subordinates. One is required to motivate not only their subordinates but also co-workers, customers, suppliers, and various stakeholders to take action. At home one is required to motivate their children, spouses, other family members to take action in the desired direction.
One of the best books I have read on this subject is by Edward L Deci on Understanding Self-motivation, where the author distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the inherent drive whereas Extrinsic is dependent on external stimuli. Intuitively we know that Intrinsic motivation lasts longer and can produce the state of Flow as popularized by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The requirements of Intrinsic Motivation as per Edward Deci are as follows:
Autonomy: Giving the person the options and the freedom to choose as opposed to telling one what to do.
Competence: People want to experience mastery i.e. to get better at doing things. Thus, one would be more motivated to perform a task that requires a person to stretch his/her capabilities and get better in the process.
Relatedness: People want to interact, they want to connect.
Similar findings and suggestions are in another good book on this subject called Drive by Daniel Pink. He also suggests three drivers of which two are same as above - Autonomy, Mastery - and the third one is Purpose, which is 'yearning to do in the service of something larger than ourselves'.
In my experience Purpose acts as a motivator after one has met the bottom needs on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Thus, four drivers would cover most of the motivational needs i.e.
Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, and Purpose.
One of the best books I have read on this subject is by Edward L Deci on Understanding Self-motivation, where the author distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the inherent drive whereas Extrinsic is dependent on external stimuli. Intuitively we know that Intrinsic motivation lasts longer and can produce the state of Flow as popularized by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The requirements of Intrinsic Motivation as per Edward Deci are as follows:
Autonomy: Giving the person the options and the freedom to choose as opposed to telling one what to do.
Competence: People want to experience mastery i.e. to get better at doing things. Thus, one would be more motivated to perform a task that requires a person to stretch his/her capabilities and get better in the process.
Relatedness: People want to interact, they want to connect.
Similar findings and suggestions are in another good book on this subject called Drive by Daniel Pink. He also suggests three drivers of which two are same as above - Autonomy, Mastery - and the third one is Purpose, which is 'yearning to do in the service of something larger than ourselves'.
In my experience Purpose acts as a motivator after one has met the bottom needs on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Thus, four drivers would cover most of the motivational needs i.e.
Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, and Purpose.
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