What really motivates you as a consultant? What really motivates your clients?

By Carter McNamara on December 6, 2016

 Different people are motivated by different things.  It’s very important to know what really motivates you.  Otherwise, the quality of your work will suffer.  When helping another person, it’s very important to know what really motivates them, as well, so that you can build those motivators into your work with them.

Consider from among the following typical motivators.  Rank the motivators, starting with “1” as the highest.  You might have several that you rank as a “1”.  Don’t worry about getting your ranking to be “perfect”.  The point is to go through the process of thinking about what really motivates you.  Consider discussing the results with others who know you.

__ Career Development / Success

__ Caring For / Supporting Others

__ Comfort / Relaxation

__ Fun / Recreation

__ Health / Balance / Energy

__ Influence / Leadership

__ Learning / Knowledge / Discovery

__ Materials / Possessions

__ Recognition / Praise

__ Security / Money / House

__ Social / Affiliation / Popularity / Acceptance

__ Status / Prestige / Stand Out / Reputation

__ Task Accomplishment / Problem Solving / Achievement

__ Teaching / Guiding Others

__ Vitality / Energy

__ Others? __________________

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection:

  • Are there other comments you could make that would help you (and maybe others) to more clearly understand what really motivates you?
  • What can you do to include more of the motivators in your job or other roles?
  • How would you have ranked your motivators a year ago?  5 years ago?  10?
  • Have others complete this checklist about you, e.g., friends, family, peers, employees, etc.

What other comments would you like to make?

Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, is faculty member of the Consultants Development Institute.