What is my motivating environment?

We have already taken a look at skills, as one of the 4 elements. This week we will discuss the second element: a motivating environment. Daniel Pink describes it as: a space within which you experience autonomy.’ It also implies that everybody has his very own unique ‘motivating environment’. Some need a lot of space, freedom and variety in their job, and prefer not to be controlled. While others need a clear framework and clear instructions, so that they know exactly what it is that is expected from them and what the task at hand is.

Since we all have our own unique personality, autonomy also means something else for us all. Therefore it is interesting to find out what your unique set of most important motivating environment factors is. If you are able to get a clearer picture here, it will enable you to take further steps in the process of ‘jobcrafting’. Specifically it means that you will be better able to organize your environment in a way that it will become more of a motivating environment to you. Which, again, will lead to gaining more energy at work, and a more resilient life- and work-style!

Using the DISC factors of the Persolog DISC Personality Profile I have compiled various environmental factors in the following overview. Take some time to read them, and mark the ones of which you believe that they are specific motivating factors for you. Further on you can choose 6 of them that are most important to you. Write these 6 factors down in the schedule below.

Dominant / Direct	Influence / initiative
□ Clear results □ Freedom to make decisions □ Challenges □ Big projects □ Little control by others □ Little detail work □ Clear goals □ Independence at work	□ Variety □ Surrounded by people □ Time to enjoy life □ Lots of freedom concerning problems □ Flexible conditions □ Lots of opportunity to communicate □ Receiving open recognition □ Friendly, positive atmosphere
Cautious	Steady
□ Clearly formulated expectations □ Well structured procedures □ Lots of preparation before change □ Recognition for the quality of your results □ Clear description of the task at hand □ Lots of opportunity to ask questions □ Tasks that demand accuracy □ Being able to work undisturbed	□ Lots of security and stability □ Working in a small team □ Recognition of the self □ Clearly formulated expectations □ Harmonious environment □ Clear, good relationships □ Orderly processes □ Lots of time to prepare for change

Top 6 Motivating environment factors	What is already positive about my job	What could be better at my current job	What could I change myself	Who could help me change that
Example: Frequent feedback on my work	I get feedback twice a year, from my manager	I only hear stuff when something’s is going wrong	1x per month a feedback session with a colleague	Jeff
1
2
3
4
5
6

The exciting and positive thing about this workshop lies in honestly thinking about all the things that are already great, or at least good, at your current job – things that already fit well with your specific motivating environment. Nonetheless, it is also really worthwhile to think about the things that are not compatible.

You could go with these findings to your boss, to tell him that he has to do something about it. But that is exactly not the point here. Jobcrafting is about taking responsibility, about taking matters in your own hands, about finding and creating solutions yourself. It is all about creating small but realistic adjustments. Adjustments that have a direct impact on the development of an environment that will be more motivating for you.

Good luck with designing the ideal working-place!

Paul Donders