Hello readers! Welcome to week four of our class. We’re
covering motivation as the topic and looking at the various ways people are
motivated to work. As leaders, it is important we understand this complex
topic. We will be called on to motivate our teams, colleagues, and even our
leaders, at times in our career.
The video The Three
Things We Work For (Money Isn’t One of Them) Skillsoft (2011) touched on the topic of employee motivations to
work. As the title implies, the gentleman being interviewed, Mr. Andy
Mulholland, Global Chief Technology Officer at Capgemini, believes that workers
are motivated by things other than the money they may earn.
Mr. Mulholland states that, in his experience, employees are
motivated most by the opportunity to do interesting work, to expand their skill
sets, and to be recognized and valued. Skillsoft (2011) He specifically says that engineers are
motivated in this way, but I believe the statement fits for other skillset
groups.
I can agree with Mr. Mulholland. I would put salary and
benefits as fourth on the list, though. Having financial stability allows one
to more fully concentrate on his or her work.
I absolutely have looked for interesting work to do and have
turned down opportunities that appeared routine or repetitive. The aviation
career field provides ample opportunities to find work that is interesting and
challenging. That diverse opportunity set is one of the things I love about
aviation.
One of the big draws for me about the company I work for was
the vast amount of opportunity to expand my skills they provide. From the
graduate education I am completing, to training on multiple aircraft, to
management and leadership training, to diversity and inclusion education, to
international travel experiences, I have been given the chance to grow
personally and professionally in ways I never imagined.
Recognition is nice, but the feeling of being valued is much
more important to me. One goes with the other, but small types of recognition sometime impart the biggest feeling of being valued. That knowing look or the sincere
thank you from a colleague or supervisor provides a feeling of belonging and
value unlike being put on a stage and given an award does, for sure. Having
been on numerous sports teams and lucky enough to be part of some unique work
groups, I really enjoy and appreciate the satisfaction of knowing I was a
contributor to a team’s success and my colleagues recognize and appreciate the
effort.
I am also motivated by taking pride in my work. I have an
expectation of the level or quality of work that I will produce and I am draw
motivation by striving to meet or exceed that level. My colleagues have come to
expect the quality of work, as well. I am motivated to ensure the get what they
expect. People expect that Boeing Chief Pilot flies, manages, and leads at a
predictable, consistently high level.
Another source of motivation is the precedent set by those who
worked at my company before me. The expectation they set for performance of my
department and the products we work on and with is very high. I made the
personal commitment to uphold that quality and utilize that to motivate myself
and those who I lead.
To close out this list, I would add being motivated to take
on more responsibility and leadership in my company, or possible at another company.
I continue to look for learning opportunities and to uncover better ways for my
team to succeed. As is the case at many companies in the US, the baby-boomer
generation is quickly reaching retirement age and my company will feel the
impact. I am motivated to be ready for higher levels of management when called
on.
Skillsoft Ireland, Ltd.(Producer). (2011,
09/02/15). The Three Things We Work For (Money Isn't One of Them). [Interview
video] Retrieved from http://library.books24x7.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/VideoViewer.aspx?bkid=43753
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