Beyond Ambition: The Key to Success Lies in Your Core Motivators
In the pursuit of having a successful career, many individuals are often encouraged to be ambitious, striving for promotions, recognition and an attractive salary.
Ambition, the desire for achievement, is undoubtedly a valuable trait. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, on its own ambition is often externally focused and tied to specific outcomes. However, in the grand tapestry of a fulfilling career, knowing your core motivators stands out as the driving force that can transform your career trajectory.
Your core motivators are the intangible elements that ignite a profound connection between an individual and their work. Core motivators are the internal flame that provides drive, determination, enthusiasm and satisfaction.
When a person is working in a role that connects with their core motivators, they are more likely to invest time and effort into honing their skills, exploring new ideas, pushing boundaries and making a difference. This intrinsic motivation is a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth.
When your core motivators are being met you are more likely to be operating as your best self.
In my work as a Leadership Coach, conversations with my clients sometimes turn to what others expect of the person. It is as if there is an invisible weight on their shoulders, a certain pressure to be seen to move on and upward. Often there is a fear of how others will perceive you if you turn down an opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
This external pressure can lead some individuals to take on a new job or special project for the wrong reasons.
Yet to the outside world, it is all roses. Your family friends and colleagues are all cheering you on, “Look at you go! You have just got a pay rise, a fancy new job title and you are that much closer to the CEO. Life couldn’t be better for you.”
Sadly, if that new opportunity does not tap into what motivates you at your core it will, at some stage, be a career stumbling block.
Being in a role that does not connect with your core motivators may well result in you dragging yourself to work, feeling disengaged, producing work that you know is not near your best. It can also result in you being difficult to work with and displaying behaviours that you are not proud of.
So How Do You Identify Your Core Motivators?
An incredibly insightful tool that can help you identify your core motivators is The Why of You PRINT® model. It is a psychometric tool developed in the United States more than 20 years ago by the Paul Hertz Group. Whilst all psychometric tools have value and useful insights, The Why of You PRINT® is different as it goes to the root of what drives a person.
Doing the PRINT survey can be a game changer and can give some real "ah-ha" moments.
After completing a short survey a report is generated that identifies your “unconscious motivators”. The report is tailored to you and you alone. The report can also include a set of questions that allows you to assess how much your current role is fulfilling these unconscious motivators.
Marrying your core motivators with your ambition is where the gold lies. Knowing what work best aligns with your core motivators will provide the fuel for whatever ambitions you may hold for yourself.
And the benefits don’t stop there. It is also a win for those that work with you. A team led by someone driven by their core motivators is more likely to share their energy, enthusiasm and sense of purpose. This positive environment fosters creativity, innovation, and a collective dedication to achieving meaningful goals. Now look at you go!
Understanding your core motivators and knowing they are being harnessed in your workplace often results in a genuine commitment to continuous learning. When someone is passionate about their work, they naturally seek to expand their knowledge and expertise. This ongoing pursuit of excellence is not driven by external pressures but stems from an internal desire to be the best version of oneself.
Moreover, individuals connected to their core motivators can face challenges and setbacks that accompany any ambitious journey with a resilient mindset. When external rewards are scarce or obstacles seem insurmountable, it is the passion for the work itself that becomes the guiding light.
Ambition alone may falter in the face of adversity, as the absence of immediate success could lead to frustration and burnout. Core motivators provide the resilience needed to weather storms, adapt to change, and emerge stronger on the other side.
When to Identify Your Core Motivators
Taking the The Why of You PRINT® survey is a great way of deepening your self-awareness. It is particularly useful for individuals if one or more of the following is happening in your life, you:
Are not enjoying the work and role you are currently in
Have a feeling that you would like to explore opportunities in another industry or sector
Want to know why certain situations 'press your buttons' triggering behaviour you know is not what you want to be known for
Know you are capable of more and just not sure how to get there
Want to take your leadership capability to the next level.
The Why of You PRINT® survey is also a fantastic tool to use for entire teams. Organisations regularly use PRINT® to discover the makeup of their teams so they can continue to improve communication and collaboration. It is a great foundation for team building and working relationships.
It is also a clever tool to employ in the recruitment phase of a role, providing employers with stronger insights on prospective candidates providing further assurance they are selecting the person that will best thrive in the role.
Conclusion
You may or may not consider yourself an ambitious person – there is no right or wrong in this regard. The key message is that by understanding your core motivators, you will discover the power source for a fulfilling and successful career. Being passionate and connected with one's work transcends the pursuit of external markers of success, fostering drive, continuous learning, and a deep sense of purpose.
Want to Know More?
If you would like to find out more about your core motivators or interested in deepening your self-awareness by taking the PRINT® survey, book a Clarity Call.
