Jason Monastra

My life and thoughts out on the web

I have been investigating the job motivation area since I see a trend that has evolved since our last major recession in the 2000-2001 time frame.  People are looking for jobs, applying for new roles, even leaving positions for uncertain futures during a time when positions are not as plentiful.  Why is that?  Why is their turnover when people are being laid off by the thousands?  Why are the open chairs when unemployment is so high?  Motivation and the keys to why people work are becoming of large interest to me, to my clients, and to my company.

Motivation in the job market has really become a strong subject where experts are popping up like grass on the subject, citing numerous areas of speciality and telling companies what drives people.  The truth of the matter is as I evaluate my own employees, my family, and the people I speak to that are leaving positions during this recession for something “better” - I find a consistent theme.  Recognition.  Man what a driver this recognition is.  Professionals want to know they are doing a good job, and when they are they want to told so, identified in front of a group of peers, and made to know they count. 

Funny enough, recognition is one of the most widely unused management tools used around the globe.  We are quick to point out, finger, or even yell to the mountain tops when we identify a gap or see someone doing something wrong.  Why do we do that?  Does that build our fellow worker?  Does it increase productivity?  Does it inspire innovation or change?  Actually it does none.  What it does it make people sit back in their desks, complain about work, surf the net for new jobs, and lose countless hours and precious dollars on things that have nothing to do with their job.  So why is recognition not used.  Simply put, managers do not get it.

Management believes that dollars and cents are all that count.  People are motivated by money.  As I read and learn more from one-one personal conversations, professionals are motivated less by money than you would think.  In the midst of all the benefits of a job, pay is 3rd or 4th continually on all lists.  The two leading criteria are personal learning and recognition.  Those lead the lists above money every single time.  WOW.  When I read that I was confused…you know why - I am a manager.  Learning not a very good manager.  Simple recognition of a job well done, an innovative idea, cost cutting measure introduced, etc. brings to life an inner spectrum untouched by money and one of far more value.  People seize the opportunity and elate when their deeds are made known to others.  Why?  Well there are countless reasons why, but the fact remains that recognition is the key. 

I have been implementing and designing ways to foster this not only in my business life, but my personal as well with extraordinary results.  Small things, simple touches that let people know how well they are doing are met with joy, smiles, and most of all - HARDER work.  People begin trusting, develop respect, and have a deeper devotion to the job and the company.  All things we want and at a far less dollar cost than giving a raise.  If you are not using them, or even considering it - hesitate no longer, look no farther, and start down the road of recognition.  I think you will find the results are far more than you can imagine.

Confidence is a unique skill, one that is difficult to muster for most but easy to shed at the first hint of objection.  Confidence is a must have in the job search.  A trait that before now could have been something depending on your skills that was not needed, but now with increased applicants and an ever expanding pool of new opportunities in this economy - CONFIDENCE IS A MUST HAVE.

I normally stick to the process when coaching people on the how’s of interviewing.  But challenged recently with a great consultant that who had not interviewed in person for some time.  All of the previous engagements had come from referrals or phone discussions, but this client wanted to see him before the process began.  A change in process for this consultant and one that got him thinking about his own self confidence.  Most of the time people do not even realize they have an issue till they find themselves posed with a situation that they are not accustomed to.  Previous to this meeting, I assure you this professional felt no lack of confidence given his track record.  But when moved outside the norm of what he “knows”, that confidence is gone.  That made me question - how does someone that has done so well do when that confidence is removed?

I actually came to the conclusion on my way to a dinner meeting.  As most of you know I am a believing Christian and was praying on my way to the meeting.  One for a positive meeting, the other for a better outlook into people’s challenging events.  With that came a clear view into something that I had not previously seen….what if this professional saw the event taking place as being the same process he was in before, thus restoring his confidence level?  What had thrown this guy was that he was doing something not previously done.  But what if it was the same thing he was doing - he just did not know it.

So the answer was clear, make him understand the process and align it to what he was doing.  The meeting in person was exactly the same as him being there on the first day of an assignment, only occurring before.  I proceeded to discuss with him the idea of an in person meeting - what the purpose was and that he had the job essentially.  They knew he could do the work (technical screenings had already occurred), the idea of the person meeting was to see if they could work together and rub shoulders on a daily basis.  Working with the RIGHT people is just as important as working with people you LIKE.  Once the interview was turned into a meeting of building rapport and not an overview of this guy’s entire life - the process relaxed and he could relate to this being the same sort of thing that occurs during the first week of an assignment.

Bottom line, CONFIDENCE returned and the process went fine.  So if confidence is something you are lacking due to being laid off, or some other circumstances; bring the process back to something you know and understand that YOU CAN DO what is needed to land this job, assignment or project.  Be confident and things will be easier during the process.  Keep your heads up everyone, your time is right around the corner.