What motivates you to do better?

Marketing experts will confirm that price is not the biggest motivator for purchases. Status is. People want things that will make them look better and feel better about themselves. Generally, the price of an item figures only third on the steps of purchasing behavior, preceded by good service.

But what about receiving money instead of spending it? Is money a big motivator for performance at the work place? Alas, again no. Time and again research has shown that for most people money is not the most important matter in their working life. Basically, the feel-good factor is the biggest motivator. Thus, again, status, albeit perceived status. That great feeling of contributing and appreciation… which money cannot buy from the best of people.

Marilyn Monroe put it perfectly: “I don’t want to make money. I just want to be wonderful.” And Coco Chanel summed it up well: “There are people who have money and people who are rich.”

So, what motivates us to do better? Dan Pink explains the surprising truth about what motivates us best.

10/16/2011. Category: didyouknow. Topic: change.