Money, Money, Money
The CEO was wrong.
Money is not THE motivator. Money is A motivator.
Years ago, this CEO offered a counterproposal when he learned I’d resigned from the organization.
My response…
“This isn’t about money. I’m really passionate about what I do, and regrettably, this is no longer an environment where I can do my best work.”
The CEO was dumbfounded.
You see, to him, it was always about the money.
It never occurred to him that there are other factors that motivate employees. Y’know, like these:
Challenging work
Purpose and meaning
Work/life balance, flexibility
Appreciation and recognition
Supportive work environment
Empowerment and decision making
Opportunities for growth and advancement
Organizational stability and future prospects
Different people are motivated by different things.
If you are a people leader, do you know what drives each of your employees?
Want to find out?
Ask open-ended, nonjudgmental questions during your regular 1:1 meetings that deepen your understanding of their employee experience, point of view, values, and challenges.
Reflect on the answers. How do they relate? What do they tell you about each employee? How does this align with what you've observed over time?
Create a working hypothesis and try it out. For example, for an employee with a high need for achievement, explore their interest in a stretch assignment with challenge and visibility.
Don't assume that you're done once you have determined a motivator for each employee. Motivators flex and change over time, and often work in combination. Be curious and keep learning over time, and tailor your motivational strategies accordingly!
What about you? Have you ever left a job for reasons other than $?
Melissa Janis builds management capabilities to create a workplace that's better for your employees and better for your bottom line.