Motivation in the workplace:
Challenge and opportunity of Diversity

Motivation in the workplace can be extremely challenging because most people are ONLY able to motivate people who think like they think.

In the corporate world, managers strive for diversity. But how many managers do you know who have had the training to motivate a diverse group of people with an assortment of motivational profiles?

A manager may know what worked to motivate so-and-so -- or what self motivation techniques worked when they themselves were in a similar situation  -- and they try a one-size-fits-all approach.

Guess what? It doesn’t t work. And it’s not because people are lazy. ..Okay, I admit, some are.. It is because people are wired differently!

When it comes to motivation, understanding how people are wired makes a real difference.

motivation in the workplace MEANS different strokes for different folks

The problem is that each person has their own unique set of filters through which they view the world. These filters are shaped and toned by a person’s sense of identity, their beliefs, experiences, expectations and their values.

Yes, there is typically SOME commonality among cultural, geographic and ethnic groups. But when it comes to motivations in the workplace, it is a terrible mistake to think that motivational profiles are exactly alike. Each individual has a perceptual grid that is colored by their own unique experiences.

Here is a question for you:

Have you ever had an experience – perhaps with siblings – where two people were involved in the EXACT same situation yet years later remembered two totally different versions of the SAME event? Our human minds are interesting, aren’t they?

When I am doing motivation in the workplace programs, I typically demonstrate this tendency of ours to distort or hallucinate life experiences by asking people to write down what an overused phrase like “healthy lifestyle” means to them. 

I then ask ten people to read verbatim what they wrote down. Surprise, surprise, I get ten unique answers.

What does THAT have to do with motivation in the workplace? When it comes to motivation in the workplace, communication is typically verbal. That means that WORDS are particularly important. But motivation is a feeling, isn’t it?

Why words matter

The WORDS people use, describe private mental pictures only they are aware of. Those ideas activate feelings. Feelings fire the impulse to act. 

If you want to trigger motivation, you need to know what words and types of phrases will ignite the desired action in the hearts and mind of the individuals on your team.

Language and Behavior Profiling

The easiest way I have found to raise morale and overcome a lack of motivation, is with the mind tool developed by Roger Bailey called the Language and Behavior Profile.

The LAB profile reveals how people sort and filter information in any given context.  Using it, a trained manager can know the right way to influence, motivate and even predict the behavior of each and every person on their team – in about five minutes. 

Working with LAB profiles, you learn how to customize your language so that it has maximum impact on each and every member of your team. 

By recognizing and appreciating an employee’s unique profile instead of relying on one-size-fits all motivation techniques, you honor the diversity of your team instead of allowing it to frustrate you. In that way, you foster the highest level of motivation in the workplace.

Get information on Mandy’s corporate training programs

or

Schedule a quick call with Mandy

Learn How to Motivate Yourself and Others with this Free Guide

Motivation: The Science and Art of Influencing Behavior

Discover the12 principles of influence and how to use motivation triggers to move people to ACTION.

You will discover:

  • Why MOST people are only able to influence a SMALL percentage of prospects (and what you can do to turn that around to win over MOST people)
  • The exact words to say to get people to KNOW that you are listening, and you care
  •  6 motivation triggers that will move prospects to “YES”

Get Your Guide Here

You Also might like these articles

You may also Be Interested in:

How to Reduce Stress in The Workplace

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Go to the Mind to Succeed Home Page



 Free GUIDED Self Hypnosis audio when you register for our newsletter.

Get the latest, greatest tools for easing into your power and making the most out of life by subscribing to our monthly e-zine:

Enter Your E-mail Address
Enter Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Mind To Succeed.

The Buzz About Mandy's Programs

"I lost 104 lbs and 69.75 inches in 9 months after taking Mandy’s program." -- Jeyla Kimball, Hollywood, FL

"Mandy’s workshop helped me on every level of my LIFE, professional, financial, personal & spiritual . . . I am grateful!" -- Raul, Duarte, Miami, FL

"I now have a measure of internal calm and peacefulness I did not have before."  -- Ellen Siegel, CLU CHFC, CFP, Miami, FL

"Mandy offers an intelligent, yet caring approach to helping people. Her programs are excellent ."   -- Jill Beach, National Director of Media Relations,
VITAS Healthcare Corporation

"As a psychotherapist with a lucrative practice for many years I realized
I was unfulfilled and unhappy…I was stuck. In working with Mandy I made more progress in a few months than years of psychotherapy
and training. "--Shelley Eisenberg,  Psychotherapist,   New York, NY

"Over the years, I have attended many self-improvement seminars hosted by famous motivational leaders. I have spent a small fortune on all sorts of books and tapes and NONE have given me what you have…I really wanted to feel whole, confident, balanced, happy.  You taught me the basic skills necessary to finally achieve what I wanted for myself." -- Kathy Poulin, Pompano Beach, FL

"The program was awesome, and
the new habits have already started
taking roots, and all I'm doing is
"baby steps".
-- Elsie Salinardi, CPA, CFP,
Sunrise, FL

"The key reward has been the
rekindling of my self-confidence"
Gary Harrison, Insurance Specialist,
Boca Raton, FL
 
"The [mind power techniques] really made me
reach deep within myself and realize
what limitations we put on ourselves.
Thanks to Mandy we now
have techniques we can use to go
beyond our previous limits. "
Veena Deddar, CFP CLU CHFC,
London Life, Toronto, Canada

"I’ve noticed that I am more organized
than I have ever been in my
life. I seem to have so much extra
time that I didn’t have before
thanks to the organizational
process that she teaches.
Because my professional life is so much more organized, I have so
more time to spend with my family"
Marilyn Blosser, CSA, LUTCF.
President, Women in Insurance
& Financial Services

"I am a thirty-five-year veteran of the scale wars, and this is the only program I know of that addresses ALL the issues of weight management. Working through the program has given me new insights into the root causes of my weight issues and new tools to deal with them. Whether you have suffered with eating disorders your whole life or you just want to speed up your metabolism and take off a few extra pounds, this program can really really help you." -- Angela Kelsey
angelakelsey.com.

What People are saying about Mandy's Programs

"Mandy offers an intelligent, yet caring approach to helping people. Her programs are excellent . . . "   Jill Beach, National Director of Media Relations
VITAS Healthcare Corporation

“Mandy is a trusted confidant who works tirelessly … to build consensus and lead organizations toward success. … Commitment to her clients is remarkable.  –      Dan Varnum, CEO, Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa

I"n 5 days of training with 40 people … not once did she allow any participant to derail the program. Everyone’s questions were answered and we all understand how to apply the methods to our unique situations"  Michelle Clark, Business Owner, Seattle, WA

“As a result of using Mandy's techniques, my revenues soared 40% the first year and 33% the second. This year looks to be another record breaker! " --      Mike Lynch, CFP, Plantation, FL         

"Mandy is the REAL DEAL… working with her for 2 years… our 7 figure company will double in size this year. Mandy is an invaluable member of our team who keeps us focused. … Hire her, don't hesitate… she has my strongest endorsement." - Brian askavalciyan, G4 Marketing, Miami, FL

"Hiring Mandy was the best business decision we made all year." --    Sharon Curtis CSA, Curtis Insurance Group, Miami FL

"Mandy redefined for me the level of excellence that can be achieved…her performance was nothing less than superb."
Dan Hostetler, George S. May Int'l, Chicago IL

“ I would absolutely recommend Mandy to my associates.  She contributes 110%”
Kathi Mosier CPA, Coral Springs, FL

"Mandy has kept me focused on what is important…My life is calmer, more productive and more balanced."
Ellen R. Siegel CFP, Miami FL