Motivation is an Inside Job

Norm Crouse is the founder of the Personal Alternatives consulting firm and is a veteran in the areas of business management, organization development, and training. Last month he started a blog called Managing Today.

Norm has self published a book called Motivation Is an Inside Job. You can tell this book was a labor of love.

You know that I am a big fan of practices that help enliven intrinsic motivation. Norm’s book takes this one concept - motivation - and goes deep to provide a bit of theory and a whole lot of practical techniques that managers (or anyone) can use to help facilitate team member motivation.

Norm has created a technology called the Motivational Vector Grid. Key components of the grid are Locus of Control and Perceived Value. He uses this tool to help diagnose what’s motivating a particular behavior and to determine the best way to help move a person forward. It’s an interesting tool, and his book does a great job of explaining it.

Norm says a lot of things that I whole heartedly agree with. Here’s a quoted section I like a lot:

”Third Law of Motivational Vectors

That brings us to the third law of Motivational Vectors: When they’re stuck, it’s always your move.

In other words, it is the very foundation of managerial work to create an environment where the employee chooses to perform successfully. If the employee is stuck in some unsuccessful pattern of non-performance, it is the manager’s job to do something! If a manager says, “I‘ve done all I can; there’s nothing more I can do.” That isn’t a condemnation of the employee; it is a reflection on the manager’s skill. The manager’s job is to always have another option to try.”

The Fourth Law of Motivational Vectors is a good one too (they’re all good, just some strike my, “Yeah, you can say that again,” chord more than others). It says that:

”If what you are doing now isn’t working, anything else is better.”

Such a simple, but interesting statement. Anything else is better? Read the book to see how he defends and convinces you of this.

I like Motivation Is an Inside Job because it expects a lot from managers. It expects managers to take the effort to understand motivation and to be proactive in establishing a work environment where employees are driven to do their best. You won’t find any Pavlovian methods here, only solid techniques based on what we know about intrinsic motivation.

The book is available in printed form and as an e-book for those who can’t wait! Check it out.

Comments

[Be a Life Coach]

SOunds like an interesting find...thanks