By: Dmitry Bukhensky

Motivation is our driving force and it’s crucial to remember that it varies among team members. It can be dissected into three distinct vectors: achievement, power, and social involvement. This sophisticated understanding serves as a guide for effective team leadership, illuminating the varied needs and aspirations of everyone. Let’s delve into these motivational vectors and examine how they shape dynamics within the professional landscape.

1. Achievement-Oriented Motivation:

The first vector is about achievement, spotlighting experts who thrive on personal accomplishments. This subset constitutes approximately 10% of a team. These team players are drawn to challenging tasks that push their boundaries and demand innovative problem-solving. For team leaders, the key lies in consistently offering intellectually stimulating tasks requiring depth of expertise. Turnkey projects, where the solution path is not predetermined, align perfectly with the motivational needs of this group, keeping them engaged and motivated.

2. Power-Motivated Individuals:

Some experts seek control over their work environment and decisions. Attempting to alter this intrinsic motivation may not give positive results. Instead, redirecting their energy, either towards specific projects where their assertiveness can be an asset or by granting them autonomy in defined areas, transforms what could be perceived as a disruptive force into a constructive one, harnessing power-driven motivation for the benefit of the team.

3. Social Involvement as a Motivational Driver:

The majority, 60-70% of a team, falls under the social involvement vector. For these experts, the joy and satisfaction derived from being part of a social group outweigh personal achievements or power dynamics. They excel in tasks clearly outlined in instructions and seldom seek additional challenges. Maintaining loyalty to the team or company, these experts form the backbone of stable and consistent team dynamics. Recognizing and nurturing their social motivations by organizing occasional calls or events, even outside the project’s scope, enhances team cohesion.

Motivation as an Influential Force:

Motivation is a form of influence. How this influence is perceived depends on the unique personality traits of each team member. This insight serves as a foundational principle in team management — understanding what motivates individuals and leveraging this knowledge to tailor interactions. The first one-on-one meetings become a critical juncture to map out a person’s motivation profile, allowing for a more nuanced and effective leadership approach.

Applying Motivational Insights in Professional Contexts:

The implications of these motivational insights extend beyond team dynamics. Recognizing the parallels between team motivation and individual professional aspirations, these principles seamlessly apply to broader professional settings:

1. Customized Leadership:

Just as team leaders tailor their approach based on motivational vectors, organizational leaders can adopt a customized leadership style. Acknowledging and respecting individual motivations within a professional context fosters an environment where employees feel understood and supported.

2. Empowering Decision-Making:

Power-driven motivation, when redirected effectively, can be a powerful asset in decision-making roles. Granting autonomy to individuals motivated by power ensures they contribute constructively to projects, utilizing their assertiveness to drive success.

3. Socially-Inclusive Workplaces:

Building a workplace that recognizes and values social motivations promotes inclusivity and collaboration. Occasional events or platforms for casual interaction, akin to periodic calls or events outside the project’s scope, enhance the social fabric of an organization, contributing to a positive and engaging work environment.

These insights unravel the complexity of motivational vectors, providing leaders with a roadmap to navigate the diverse needs of their teams. Beyond team dynamics, these principles resonate in broader professional contexts, where recognizing, respecting, and leveraging individual motivations unlocks the full potential of both individuals and organizations. Understanding and harnessing these diverse motivations is the cornerstone of effective leadership, fostering collaborative success and unlocking the full potential of every team member.