Money doesn’t talk for the majority of workers – they are more motivated by fun and friendship, indicates research by talent management consultancy, Chiumento.
The new economy has contributed to factors other than money being more important, believes director Ian Gooden: “The rungs on the career ladder are all broken; annual salary rises and quick promotions are over for most of us. Now careers are more like a ride on a carousel, with moves up, down and sideways becoming the norm. So people are looking again at what really drives them at work.”
The Chiumento study, Riding the Career Carousel, identifies five worker groups, defined by their primary motivator: socialisers, achievers, protectionists, materialists and true believers.
Two in five employees (41.3 per cent) fall into the largest group – socialisers – with women outnumbering men by 3 to 2. Socialisers need to enjoy their work and like the people in their immediate team.
Employers can motivate them by giving them more opportunity to work as part of a team and more chances for social activity with colleagues.
One in five employees is a protectionist (19 per cent), driven by a need for certainty and security of employment. Less than one in five workers is a materialist (18 per cent).
These types of workers often want not only to be high, but also predictable, earners – making them low career risk takers. However, they are the most likely to be thinking of leaving – 38 per cent said they intend to move in the next 12 months.
Achievers (9 per cent) are driven by ambition to succeed in their work.
They crave stretching targets, new challenges and personal development.
Employers can motivate them by helping them to improve their work/life balance and giving them more autonomy to do their job they way.
Only six per cent of the working population falls into the category of true believer. For them, what an organisation stands for and the brand, come first – even if this means accepting less money, says the study, which was published in January.
Coaching at Work, Volume 6, Issue 2
Isn’t this old news?
Old Mr Herzberg must be irritated to see this is still a subject for discussion (!)
Daniel Pink fairly recently had a book out entitled “Drive!” which is a good read on this subject for those who like to avoid too academic an approach, like me.
However, this study is a useful reminder:
…do employers help with social aspects? Perhaps by an intranet, chatroom or office social room.
…we need to remember our people have different wants
…can we identify our achievers?
I am sure coaching can help with all of this.