Everyone you interact with has a motivation for spending time with you. They may deal with you because they’re paid to, because they love you, or because they want something.
It’s important to understand why people interact.
Do your co-workers work with you because they love the work you do, because of the money you make them, because they want to use your credibility, or because the boss says they have to? If you have a team of people who work with you because they make money—get ready to be thrown under the bus at the first speed bump.
Strong teams are built around deep motivations
- Families that are motivated by helping each other are often strong.
- Work teams that are motivated by a shared mission and vision will last.
- Marriages that are motivated by pushing each other to love Jesus are rock-solid.
- Non-profit volunteers who are both focused on positive change will work.
- Employees who are motivated personal investment in the business will be team players.
Weak teams are built on shallow motivations
- Families that are motivated by convenience are doomed.
- Work teams motivated by money will eat each other for profit.
- Marriages motivated by romantic feelings won’t take hardship well.
- Non-profit volunteers who serve for narcissistic reasons won’t last.
- Employees who are motivated by advancement will leave at the first opportunity.
Building a team
It’s difficult to build a team around shallow motivations, but deep motivations will keep a team together through the good times and the not-so-good times. What motivations are your strongest and most healthy relationships built around?
