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Motivators


What career is right for me?

Hertzberg

Hertzberg's model suggests there are two types of motivator:

  1. Positive motivators
  2. Hygiene factors

Hygiene factors don't motivate, but if there is a problem with them then they demotivate

The types of things that are in each category include:

Positive Motivators

Type of work

Challenge/Achievement

Promotion prospects

Responsibility

Recognition/Esteem
Hygiene Factors

Salary

Relations

Working conditions

Supervision style/closeness

Sometimes people mistakenly conflate motivators from each list - eg: viewing salary as their primary means of reward/recognition. This can lead to problems as managers are often restricted in what salary increases they can award.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Maslow

Maslow identified a "hierarchy of needs". You tend to be motivated by the lowest layer where your needs aren't met. Once that layer is addressed, you move up to be motivated by a higher layer.

Firo

The Firo model (Fundamental Interpersonal Relationships Orientation) suggests that you have various needs for control, inclusion and openness.

Whether these needs are met can depend on the other people you work with, but also the nature of the job. For example, as a police officer you may need to exercise a great deal of control of others, but this might be demotivating if your need is for low control of others.

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