[3-minute insight]
People who have growth-led motivations featuring dominantly in the top three on their Motivational Map, are driven by creative change and personal development. Whether they seek innovation, autonomy, purpose or all three, growth is equated to a person realising their full potential. Let’s take a closer look at the three drivers in this area and what energises people with growth motivators.
CREATOR
As the name suggests, Creators need creativity! They are the magicians and alchemists who love to innovate and playfully experiment with their ideas – especially when they can put them into form. Additionally, they’re lateral and abstract thinkers who appreciate their name associated with the product or service.
Creators break barriers by bringing into existence that which wasn’t there before because they‘re able to see the potential in things. Problems, challenges and ‘the new’ bring out the best in a Creator. Coming up with solutions gives Creators the opportunity to do what they do best which is to innovate! They tend to be optimistic and persevere in the face of adversity.
Because they solve problems, Creators are motivated by opportunities to form solutions through their ideas. Taking this freedom away will demotivate a Creator.
Focuses on: Originality and variety away from restrictions.
Likes you to: Recognise and reward them for their ideas.
Motivating statement: “What ideas do you have which will solve this problem?”
Demotivating statement: “Here, have some more paperwork”
Theme song: ‘I’ve got a Great Idea’ by Harry Connick Jr.
SPIRIT
A Spirit’s need is for freedom and autonomy, they seek to be independent and to be able to make key decisions for themselves. Spirits tend to become easily irritated by restrictions and procedures. Taking away a Spirit’s ability to come to their own decisions and choices, for any length of time, will leave them feeling stressed.
Micromanagement will unequivocally demotivate a Spirit because they much prefer to march to the beat of their own drum than that of someone else. They like to be given the authority to think and work in their own preferred way because this is highly motivating for them. A Spirit will shy away from bureaucracy and box-ticking and as such tend to perform at their best when working alone. E.g. remotely.
An elevated position is not as important to Spirits as self-direction, this is due to their entrepreneurial nature. They are happy with responsibility so long as there is no interference!
Focuses on: Environments where they can work with freedom.
Likes you to: Trust them to make their own choices.
Motivating statement: “We trust your decisions“
Demotivating statement: “I need to double-check every single thing you do”
Theme song: ‘I Did it My Way’ by Frank Sinatra
SEARCHER
A Searcher’s need is for purpose and equally important…meaning. The quest for meaning suggests that what they do is, or are, things which are valuable for their own sake.
They are less driven by financial rewards and power because, for a searcher, it’s much more about creating positive, authentic and impactful contributions. Moreover, contributions for which they are recognised and appreciated. Fundamentally, a Searcher seeks to make a difference to the quality of work and life through purpose and, by the same token, will remain true to their core values.
Searchers have to see that what they‘re doing is significant in its own right, not just because it makes money or gives status. A Searcher will easily become demotivated if their workload becomes heavily paper driven, so best avoid flooding their inboxes!
Focuses on: Making a difference and creating meaningful impact.
Likes you to: Listen to and involve them in significant projects.
Motivating statement: “Your contributions are valuable, thank you”
Demotivating statement: “That’s not at all helpful”
Theme song: ‘Man in the Mirror’ by Michael Jackson
Want to know whether your candidates or people are driven by growth motivators?
Using Motivational Maps as part of your hiring and team development processes will reveal all! You can also access your FREE sample of a Motivational Map using the form below.
Samantha Lynne
I help business owners & hiring managers streamline candidate interviews to make right-first-time hires for the long-term.