The 5 Immutable Laws of Motivation

Everything thinks they can "do" motivation.  

Motivation isn't something you do - it is something you have.

As a manager you can help others "get" motivation - but you can't give it. 

However, if you understand how motivation works you can help provide the appropriate environment for it.  Rewards and Recognition are tools that can be used to create that environment.  But be warned - there are some "rules" or laws that you must understand in order to get it right.  Violate these rules and expect a black-hole event.  

Motivation cannot occur when these laws are violated.

"The 5 Immutable Laws of Motivation"

1.  Motivation Isn't a Zero-Sum Game

You being motivated won’t take motivation away from anyone else.  Motivation is infinite.  Don't try to impose a limit on motivation. 

2.  Motivation is Additive

Motivation is the cold fusion of employee engagement.  Never exhausted - always increasing.  Having it increases everyone else's.  When you are motivated - and show it - other are motivated.

3.  Motivation is Exponential

In concert with Law #2 - motivation doesn't grow linearly.  It grows exponentially.  Your motivation doubles someone else’s - yours and theirs in turn increases someone else's by a factor greater than the combined inputs.

4.  Motivation is Analog

Motivation is something that happens when people interact.  That cannot be done without a connection.  Recognition requires a conversation, a letter, a note, something that communicates with the recipient.  Valuable rewards require that you know something about the recipient.  You have to take the time to get to know the people, understand what they are about and tie their reward to that.  There is no way to digitize that effort.

5.  Motivation Can't  Scale

Probably the most important Law of Motivation is that it doesn't scale.  Too often we try to replace one-to-one reward and recognition with systems to "speed up" the process and reduce costs.  Because it's analog - it can't scale.  You can't scale the time you spend with your kids or your friends - you can't scale motivation - its custom, it's personal, it's people.  
People don't scale.  Don't even try it.

There you have it.  Violate these laws at your own risk.  

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