What does the picture above mean to you?

Motivation is the driving force behind our actions, goals, and dreams. Motivation is what makes us get up in the morning, work hard, and overcome challenges. Motivation is what makes us happy, fulfilled, and successful.

But how do we find motivation? And how do we motivate others? These are not easy questions to answer, because motivation is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Motivation is different for everyone, depending on their personality, values, interests, and needs.

However, there are some general principles that can help us understand and enhance motivation. In this article, we will explore three key concepts that can help us motivate ourselves and others: autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

These concepts are based on the research of Daniel Pink, a career analyst and author of the book “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us”. In his TED Talk, Pink explains that the traditional model of motivation based on rewards and punishments is outdated and ineffective, especially for tasks that require creative and conceptual thinking. He suggests that we need a new model of motivation based on intrinsic factors that tap into our human nature.

Let’s take a closer look at each concept and see how we can apply them in our personal and professional lives.

Autonomy

Autonomy is the desire to direct our own lives, to have control over what we do, how we do it, when we do it, and with whom we do it. Autonomy is the opposite of micromanagement, tight supervision, or command and control.

Why is autonomy important? Because autonomy increases engagement. And engagement is one of the strongest predictors of performance and job satisfaction. People who feel they have autonomy in their work tend to be more motivated, more productive, more creative, happier, and more loyal to their organizations.

And there is plenty of evidence that shows that giving autonomy to people is one of the best ways to motivate them. For example, there is a study that was done by researchers at Cornell University, where they analyzed 320 small businesses in the retail industry. They found that businesses that gave more autonomy to their employees had four times higher growth in revenues and two times lower turnover rates than businesses that gave less autonomy.

Or, there is a study that was done by researchers at London School of Economics, where they analyzed data from more than 11,000 employees in 14 countries. They found that autonomy was the most important factor affecting employee performance and well-being, even more important than salary or bonus.

So how can we give autonomy to ourselves and others in our organizations? Well, there are many ways to do it, but here are some examples:

• Set your own goals and deadlines. Instead of waiting for someone else to tell you what to do and when to do it, take initiative and decide for yourself what you want to achieve and by when. This will give you a sense of ownership and responsibility for your work.
• Choose your own methods and tools. Instead of following a rigid procedure or using a prescribed technology, experiment with different approaches and solutions that suit your style and preferences. This will give you a sense of creativity and innovation for your work.
• Pick your own team members and collaborators. Instead of working with people who are assigned to you or who happen to be around you, seek out people who share your vision and values or who can complement your skills and strengths. This will give you a sense of connection and cooperation for your work.

Now ask yourself these questions:

• How much autonomy do you have in your current work? How does it affect your motivation?
• How can you increase your autonomy in your work? What are the benefits and challenges of doing so?
• How can you give more autonomy to others in your work? How would it affect their motivation and performance?

Mastery

Mastery is the desire to improve our abilities in things that matter to us, to keep learning and growing, to face challenges and overcome difficulties.

Why is mastery important? Because mastery gives us a sense of progress. And progress is one of the most powerful intrinsic motivators we have. People who feel that they are making progress in their work tend to be more motivated, more enthusiastic, and more satisfied with their work.

And there is plenty of evidence that shows that giving people opportunities to master new skills is one of the best ways to motivate them. For example, there is a study that was done by researchers at Harvard Business School, where they tracked the daily emotions of hundreds of knowledge workers for several months. They found that the most important factor affecting positive emotions and intrinsic motivation was the feeling of making progress in meaningful work.

Or, there is a study that was done by researchers at University of Michigan, where they analyzed data from more than 11,000 employees in Fortune 500 companies. They found that the opportunity to learn and grow was the most important factor affecting employee commitment and loyalty.

So how can we give ourselves and others opportunities to master new skills in our organizations? Well, there are many ways to do it, but here are some examples:

• Seek feedback and coaching. Instead of avoiding criticism or relying on praise, ask for constructive feedback and guidance from people who can help you improve your performance and achieve your goals. This will give you a sense of direction and improvement for your work.
• Take on new challenges and projects. Instead of sticking to what you already know or doing the same thing over and over again, look for new opportunities and tasks that stretch your abilities and test your limits. This will give you a sense of growth and achievement for your work.
• Share your knowledge and skills with others. Instead of keeping what you know or do to yourself or competing with others, offer to teach or mentor others who can benefit from your expertise or experience. This will give you a sense of contribution and recognition for your work.

Now ask yourself these questions:

• How much mastery do you have in your current work? How does it affect your motivation?
• How can you increase your mastery in your work? What are the benefits and challenges of doing so?
• How can you give more mastery to others in your work? How would it affect their motivation and performance?

Purpose

Purpose is the desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to contribute to something meaningful and impactful.

Why is purpose important? Because purpose gives us a sense of direction and motivation. Purpose gives us a reason to get up in the morning and do our work with passion. Purpose gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride when we achieve something important.

And there is plenty of evidence that shows that giving people a clear and inspiring purpose is one of the best ways to motivate them. For example, there is a study that was done by researchers at University of Pennsylvania, where they tested the effect of purpose on motivation and performance of employees in a fundraising call center. They divided employees into three groups. The first group received no intervention. The second group received an intervention in the form of a short speech from a manager about the importance of their work for the organization. The third group received an intervention in the form of an opportunity to meet with a beneficiary of their work, namely a student who received a scholarship from the charity.

The results were surprising. The first and second groups showed no significant difference in their motivation or performance. But the third group, who met with the beneficiary, showed an amazing increase in motivation and performance. They increased the number of calls they made by 142 percent, and the amount of money they raised by 171 percent.

Or, there is a study that was done by researchers at Duke University, where they analyzed data from more than 11,000 employees in various industries. They found that having a sense of purpose was the most important factor affecting employee engagement and happiness.

So how can we give ourselves and others a clear and inspiring purpose in our organizations? Well, there are many ways to do it, but here are some examples:

• Define and communicate your vision and mission. Instead of focusing on what you do or how you do it, focus on why you do it and what impact you want to have. This will give you and others a sense of direction and inspiration for your work.
• Align your goals and actions with your values and beliefs. Instead of following external rules or expectations, follow your internal compass and do what matters to you and what is right for you. This will give you and others a sense of integrity and authenticity for your work.
• Connect with your customers and stakeholders. Instead of working in isolation or for yourself, work in collaboration and for others who can benefit from your work. This will give you and others a sense of contribution and appreciation for your work.

Now ask yourself these questions:

• How much purpose do you have in your current work? How does it affect your motivation?
• How can you increase your purpose in your work? What are the benefits and challenges of doing so?
• How can you give more purpose to others in your work? How would it affect their motivation and performance?

Conclusion

To sum up, I have shared with you three key concepts that I learned from my research on human motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. I believe that these are the three keys to unlocking human potential in our organizations.

I also believe that these are the three keys to creating a better world. Because if we can give people autonomy to direct their own lives, opportunities to master new skills, and a clear and inspiring purpose, we can empower them to do amazing things. We can empower them to create value for themselves, for their organizations, and for society.

And I think this is the time to do it. Because we live in a challenging and exciting time. We live in a time that is full of change and uncertainty. We live in a time that requires more innovation and creativity than ever before. We live in a time that requires more intrinsic motivation than ever before.

So let’s leave behind the old model of motivation based on rewards and punishments. Let’s leave behind the old model of motivation based on the assumption that humans are rational and selfish creatures. Let’s switch to the new model of motivation based on the recognition and nurturing of the other side of ourselves. Let’s switch to the new model of motivation based on autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

I think this is the best way to motivate ourselves and others in our organizations. I think this is the best way to motivate ourselves. I think this is the best way to create a better world.

Thank you.