THe mystery of motivation:
It’s not what you think it is.
Hi! thanks for taking the Motivation Style Quiz! (And if you haven’t, take it by CLICKING HERE.) I built this quiz many years ago to help people get a better sense of what truly motivates them at work. The quiz is now used in an inclusive manager training that helps managers better support their team and reduce the risk of burnout. But I will also be writing a quick guide on how knowing your motivation style can help you become a better negotiator, too. Sign up for the free newsletter by CLICKING HERE to get a copy!
The Motivation Continuum
Each of the quiz results represents a place on a continuum of externally versus internally driven rewards. At about the middle, we also can see community driven rewards (for people that are motivated by mastery and mission.)
In a previous career life, I worked for working people and military families. Through helping them connect and empower themselves (especially when they ran for office or worked to change a law) I saw what truly motivates people to act. Leaders are always motivated by external or internal motivations. Somewhere in the middle is a sense of community - where external and internal overlap.
What might be important doesn’t necessarily motivate us.
The motivation styles quiz is a category system. One motivational style is not better or worse that any other. All great leaders know themselves and what truly motivates them, as well as what motivates the people they are in charge of. So being honest with yourself and embracing your motivation style is the first step in coming home to your true leadership self. And THAT is powerful.
Here are all the motivation style results:
Money
Money-motivated leaders are focused on building financial investments and building real wealth. These leaders are likely less interested in status or mastery, although the pursuit of resources might also lend those things. These leaders are all about accumulating financial resources, and more money means more motivation for them!
Status
Status-motivated leaders strive to be the best in their field. They work towards collecting the accolades, trophies, certificates, and degrees that accredit their expertise. Status differs from Mastery because these leaders acknowledge that they are in competition with others in their field.
Mastery
Mastery-motivated leaders are deeply focused on tradecraft. These leaders enjoy showing, sharing and teaching technique and craft with others. This is different than status as a motivation, because these leaders don't care about where they fall on the hierarchy of experts. They just want to be better and better every day, and want to help others, too.
Mission
Mission-motivated leaders are inspired and propelled by helping their group reach a goal. Often, these leaders feel their purpose is to make the world a better place by working with others. They will tackle very complex goals, and are willing to lose some small "battles" in their work to support "winning" a larger, long-term goal.
Solution
Solutions-motivated leaders are searching for the perfect solution to the problem they are trying to crack. Puzzles and challenges are interesting to them, but they are trying to crack it for the sole sake of finding the solution, without regard to any sort of reward. Once the solution is cracked and proven, they are on to the next puzzle.
If you found this quiz helpful, sign up for my free monthly newsletter - The Curious Leader Club! I write about ways to curiously adapt to our world, and how to come home to our authentic leadership through self-navigation techniques. Also there will be more quizzes!