Krista Sheets Talks Motivators on the Wake Up Eager Podcast
In a recent episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, our President, Krista Sheets, engaged in a compelling discussion with host Suzie Price on the profound impact of personal interests and motivators in achieving workplace fulfillment. The episode, #125, entitled “Wake Up Eager: Awaken Your Soul Through Personal Interests & Motivators,” delved into how understanding individual motivators can lead to enhanced job satisfaction and performance.
The Six Workplace Motivators
The conversation centered around the Workplace Motivators Assessment, a tool that identifies six key drivers influencing job satisfaction and engagement:
Theoretical: A drive for knowledge and continuous learning.
Utilitarian: A focus on money, practicality, and achieving tangible results.
Aesthetic: An appreciation for form, harmony, and balance.
Social: A desire to help others and contribute to society.
Individualistic: A pursuit of personal power, influence, and recognition.
Traditional: A commitment to principles, traditions, or a defined system for living.
Krista’s Insights on Career Alignment
Krista emphasized the importance of aligning one’s career with these motivators to foster a more engaged and productive workforce. She noted that misalignment can lead to dissatisfaction and stress, even citing cases where strong misalignment of core motivators has led to disengagement and even the expression of physical symptoms, “the physical weight of not being fulfilled in their work can actually lead to physical ailment. I see people get the cold quicker. They actually have more pains and aches in their body….”
She further highlighted the role of self-awareness in professional development, noting that understanding what drives an individual at a fundamental level allows them to seek roles and tasks that they find naturally energizing and fulfilling. She further stated, “The motivators just provide that objectivity to making some wiser decisions about our career paths, and I really wish in the future that we did more of this in high schools and colleges….” The benefits extend beyond the individual as well, in the discussion she points out that when people in the work environment are feeling fulfilled by the work they do, “It’s infectious. It provides a passion that no one can compete with.”
Real-Life Applications
The episode also featured real-life examples of professionals who have leveraged their understanding of personal motivators to achieve career alignment and workplace synergy. These stories underscore the transformative power of self-awareness in professional development.
Krista recounted the story of a woman working in the financial services industry who had a strong Social (Humanitarian) motivator—a deep-seated desire to help others and eliminate pain and conflict. However, she struggled with a sense of misalignment in her career, feeling that her work wasn’t fulfilling this core drive. Krista explained, “…she just didn’t feel the work that she did was giving back to people and helping them. And so she actually decided to leave that industry and become a nurse. She went to nursing school. She felt that would be much more of a way to apply her desire to eliminate pain and conflict for others, and how that really helped her capitalize on who she was….”
By understanding her core drivers, this individual was able to make a bold career shift where she could align her daily work with her intrinsic values—leading to greater job satisfaction, purpose, and success. The example underscores a critical lesson: when work does not align with core motivators, it can lead to disengagement, dissatisfaction, and even burnout. However, by recognizing these motivators, individuals can take proactive steps to seek roles that naturally energize and inspire them.
Integrating Adaptability Quotient (AQ) Assessments
In addition to motivator assessments, understanding an individual’s Adaptability Quotient (AQ) is crucial in today’s rapidly changing work environment. AQai Adaptability Assessments measure how well individuals adapt to change, encompassing aspects like cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and resilience. Integrating AQ assessments with Motivator assessments can provide a more comprehensive view of an individual’s strengths and areas for development, enabling organizations to:
Enhance Employee Engagement:
Aligning roles with both Motivators and Adaptability skills ensures employees are both passionate & flexible.
Improve Team Dynamics:
Understanding diverse Motivators and Adaptability levels fosters better collaboration and reduces conflicts.
Boost Retention Rates:
Employees who feel understood and capable of adapting are more likely to remain with the organization long-term.
Conclusion
Understanding and embracing individual motivators, alongside Adaptability skills, is crucial for personal and organizational success. We encourage leaders to explore these insights and consider how assessments like the Workplace Motivators Assessment and AQai Adaptability Assessments can be integrated into their talent management practices.
For a deeper dive into this topic, listen to the full episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast featuring Krista Sheets. The transcript is available here.
At Competitive Edge, Inc., we are committed to helping organizations unlock their potential by understanding the unique drivers and adaptability of their people.