CHAPTER 7

What Really Motivates People?

There is no question that what motivates each person is different. Some people are motivated by wealth and status. Some people are motivated by recognition. Some people are motivated by helping others and knowing that they are making a difference. Some people get fired up if they can earn the right to be left alone. I once worked in an organization that had an employee who had been there for 19 years. I was talking to her about her goals professionally and she said, “My goal is to come in to work and get my work done 100 percent and to be left alone.” At first I thought she was joking, but she was quite serious.