Workspace Motivation: Social, Emotional, Cognitive needs.

Sources of Motivational Needs

What motivates you on the job?

Is it a just a job or is it a career?

How can you stay fulfilled and happy at work?

Sources of Motivational Needs

 

Behavioral

• Push vs Pull. Is your goal to obtain desired, pleasant consequences (rewards, salary, bonus’)?
 • Is your goal to escape/avoid undesired, unpleasant consequences (angry boss, unhappy customers, failed projects)?
• Are you just running away from your current profession or are you genuinely attracted to a new profession?

Social
• Are there positive role models or people who you can emulate?
• How important is it for you to be a part of a group or a valued member of the work team?

Biological
• How important is your actual work environment: do you prefer a lively or sedate work environment?
• What do you like in your office? Does your décor impact the senses (taste, touch, smell, etc. decrease hunger, thirst, discomfort)?

Cognitive
• In your work tasks, do you like a low key or high stress environment? (ie: book-keeper versus air traffic controller)
• Is it important for you to do meaningful work or to understand why your contribution is important?
• How comfortable are you with uncertainty, changes and/or cognitive disequilibrium?
• Do you enjoy solving problems or making decisions, or would you prefer others do this for you?
• Do you like calculations or figuring something out?
• Do you prefer to eliminate threat or risks?

Affective
 • How comfortable are you with conflict (increase/decrease affective dissonance)?
• Are you drawn to activities which increase good feelings?
• Are you drawn to activities which decrease bad feelings?
• Do you need a high level of work security? Do you attempt to decrease any threats to your self-esteem?
• Can you typically, maintain high levels of optimism and enthusiasm?

Conative
• Do you like to choose your own performance goals? Do you like to strive towards company-selected goals?
• Is your career choice related to your dream job?
• Do you strive to develop or maintain self-efficacy at work?
• Do you prefer to take control of your work life?
• Do you prefer to eliminate threats which impede attainment of your dream job?
• How much control would you like others’ to have over your career?

Spiritual
• How does your work relate to your life’s purpose?
• How does your work connect you to your spiritual or religious self?

Our social, emotional and psychological needs will impact our happiness and satisfaction with a particular work role. Your career path and career needs are unique.

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Author: © 2013 - present. All Rights Reserved - Sharon B. Cohen, MA, Dip.Educ, CPRP.

Career Counselor and Career Transition Specialist. Atlanta, GA. "Helping business professionals, reach their career potential!" sharonbcohen@bellsouth.net