Know-How Exchange : Strategy

...and never underestimate the power of snacks.

money ,money, money money oh and before i forget money.

No, Carl, not money money money... That's the motivator of last recourse and often the least useful.

What motivates people is RECOGNITION. Listening to their opinions... and above all allowing them to have a say in directing team strategy, or at least, team tactics.

Refer to Maslow's work on the hierarchy of needs... The things money can buy are right at the bottom - Food, Shelter, Clothing, Safety.

Then comes Love, Esteem and Self actualization.

OK, need to take care with the Love part. Managers can get into trouble... What that means is allowing people the respect, listening to their ideas, allowing their input, and letting their ideas be put into action.

People who have ownership of an idea will often make it work, while that same idea just will not work without their buy-in.

Praf has hit an important nail on the head - is the team right? Although everyone needs a little motivation, so they are not necessarily wrong just because of that.

Have you asked them what they feel would motivate them more? Is money a factor? If that's what they say, I suggest you keep digging deeper.

On the assumption they are earning enough to meet their immediate needs (Food, shelter, clothing, safety, CDs and a nice car...) then all more money can do is give them more discretionary purchasing power. It won't buy them Love, Esteem or Self-Actualization.

If their goals are incapable of being met by the organization, or if they are incapable of expressing them despite all your prompting, or if they just can't do the job no matter what the incentive or motivator, bite the bullet and change them out.

Hope this helps...


ChrisB