Evaluation of Present Driving Factors for an Individual
In the intricate tapestry of human behaviour, understanding what drives individuals is a key to unlocking their potential and fostering well-being. A new approach, drawing on interdisciplinary scientific research from evolutionary psychology, personality theory, and social motivation studies, offers a dynamic and personalised way to identify someone's top motivators on any given day.
To effectively navigate the fluid nature of motivation, a combination of strategies tailored to intrinsic and extrinsic factors is essential. Here are five effective methods:
1. **Motivators Assessment:** Formal assessments like the Motivators Assessment help individuals and teams discover what internally drives them — such as challenge, control, cooperation, or personal meaning. These assessments can reveal shifts in motivation based on daily contexts and personal circumstances, allowing a nuanced understanding of fluctuating motivators.
2. **Observation and Feedback in Context:** Since motivation can change daily, observing how a person engages with tasks, their enthusiasm, and responsiveness can provide clues. For example, if someone shows more interest in collaborative tasks one day but seeks autonomy the next, this reveals their fluid motivational drivers. Additionally, gathering feedback through open questions about what feels fulfilling or challenging on that day helps capture their current motivators.
3. **Maslow’s Hierarchical Needs:** Understanding which needs are prominent for the person at the moment (basic security, social belonging, esteem, or self-actualization) can help identify what motivates them now. For instance, an employee focusing on esteem needs may be driven by recognition and feedback that day, while another may seek security or social connection.
4. **Reflection on Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation:** Prompting individuals to reflect on whether they are driven by the enjoyment of the task itself (intrinsic motivation) or external rewards or recognition (extrinsic motivation) highlights their current motivators. Motivators can fluctuate depending on emotional and environmental factors, so understanding this dynamic is important.
5. **Leadership Motivation Assessment:** In leadership roles or team contexts, using tools like leadership motivation assessments can help identify a leader’s motivational alignment and engagement that might change daily. Such feedback guides tailored motivation strategies for that person on that specific day.
By employing these methods in combination, we can recognise the individual's unique and variable motivational profile on any given day. This approach fosters a dynamic, personalised understanding rather than relying on fixed assumptions about what motivates a person.
Sources: - Intrinsic motivators relate to personal meaning, challenge, and control [1][5]. - Maslow’s hierarchy frames motivational needs across different levels that can shift daily [2]. - Leadership motivation assessments provide insights into engagement and stress factors affecting motivation [3].
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, understanding one's top motivators using a motivators assessment could significantly contribute to personal growth and mental health, as it provides insights into an individual's internal drivers on any given day.
- Science, particularly evolutionary psychology, personality theory, and social motivation studies, shed light on the fluid nature of motivation, suggesting that effective motivation strategies must cater to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors to accommodate these shifts in motivation.
- Investment in education-and-self-development, through resources like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, can equip individuals and leaders with the knowledge to recognize and address the shifting motivational needs that impact their personal growth and team dynamics, thereby fostering a culture of health-and-wellness and mental-health awareness in various aspects of life.
