MANAGING My CAREER -
Intrinsic Motivation
for More Wake Up Eager Days

Intrinsic motivation - do you know what it is? Do you realize how important it is to have "it" as you grow and manage your career?

This page is devoted to helping you understand, get and build more of "it".

These statements represent strong intrinsic motivation on the 22 Secrets Wake Up Eager Quiz. Click each link for development resources for that Secret:

14. I can easily list my top ten strengths and values, as well as my weaknesses and blind spots.


15. My job rewards my most important values and allows me to fulfill my goals in terms of personal growth, achievement, income and stability.


16. A day on the job leaves me feeling energized, not burned out.


17. I quickly correct misunderstandings and mis-communications when they occur.


18. When others provide feedback about my performance I am not defensive.

How Great Leaders Get Great...

Think back through the years. Recall all the different leaders you've known, and place each one in the column that best describes each:

1. In column one list the leaders high in intrinsic motivation -

   This leader was mostly self aware, motivated and inspired at work. He/she was a strong communicator, and knew how to give and receive feedback.

2. In column two list the leaders who seem to be low in intrinsic motivation:

   This leader did not seem self aware, motivated or inspired at work. Communication skills were lacking at times and he/she did not give helpful feedback, and was not open to receiving feedback.

Did you create your lists? Did you discover the same thing I did? That the leaders in column one were your best leaders? The most effective and influential?

All of the leaders on my lists are talented sound business people. And, all of them want to be great leaders.

But on my lists of hundreds of leaders, (as a trainer and consultant I get to interact with a lot of different people) the people I placed in Column One actually ARE considered by others great leaders.

Here's what I've observed and heard about people who are rated low (the leaders in Column Two) on the Managing My Career items...:

• They're perceived to be arrogant.
• Their style involves "pushing" people, demanding performance.
• They focus more on themselves and their needs, than on the needs of other people and are perceived by others as 'takers'.
• Their actions repel people or cause others to dig in their heels.This results in low trust on their teams.
• Their team says "yes" to their face, and "no" behind their back - sustained high performance by their team is improbable.
• These leaders suffer a lot of stress, tension and frustration.

Here's what I've observed and heard about people who are rated high (the leaders in Column One) on the Managing My Career items:

• They're described by others as open, helpful and accessible.
• Their style involves "pulling" people together through listening and inviting input.
• They give more than they take through listening and seeing the best in others.
• They are able to influence and inspire others to take action.
• They report positive relationships both personally and professionally.
• Their teams tend to say "yes" and discuss WITH the leader their different ideas, resulting in higher performance.

The "old-school" way of leadership has not been effective for a long time.

Old School Mindset:

• "If you don’t like it, leave."
• "You should be grateful to have a job."
• "Anyone off the street could do your job."
• (Give notice) "Don’t let the door hit you on the way out."
• "It’s not personal, it’s business."
• "Career development's the employee’s responsibility-there's no time to train."

Does this mindset seep into your day when you're under pressure?

New School Mindset:

The "new-school" way of leadership is effective and has always worked. It is more aware and understanding of intrinsic motivation.

New School Mindset

New school mindsets require self aware leaders who focus on mastering themselves as much as they focus on trying to 'master' their team. Leaders with strong intrinsic motivation.

Do you realize that for the most part your team will mimic you and your style?

If you're open and honest about your strengths and development areas, they will be able to be open and honest about their strengths and development areas.

If you're energized and you quickly correct errors, your team will be oriented toward doing this too.

Great leaders set the example, the vision and the benchmark for performance.

Focus on building your scores in this Wake Up Eager Managing My Career Area, which includes self awareness and intrinsic motivation.

You'll see your team evolve before your eyes. They will become more self aware and intrinsically motivated, as you do.

Building Self Awareness...

• The Quiz for Self Esteem...Understanding Your Workplace Motivators
• Measure Your Communication Style Strengths and Development Opportunities
• A Great Career Management Training Resource I Just Found and Tried...Who Else Wants Good Leadership Skills?
• My Top 10 Favorite Uses for DISC - Video Article
• Wake Up Eager Mini-Workshops for and Interviews with Experts for More Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation.
• Work Motivation Energy & Drive: 2 Mindset Shifts & 11 Resources Development Resources
• Get More Energy at Work and Home. Name and Claim your Intrinsic Motivations.
• Directory of Factoids and Tips for More Motivation in the Workplace and Home
• How to Find Happiness: Two Secrets




• Increase Self Awareness With: Journal Writing Ideas and Insights - A Cool Tool



Career Decisions Resources...

• Video article on How to Choose a Career
• Best Business and Career Education Advice...
• Improve Self Confidence: Mastering Feedback
• My Favorite Managing My Career Books



Communication Skills Resources...

• Something Every Professional Should Know...6 Week Virtual Training Class
• 5 Steps to S.O.L.V.E. Communication Problems in the Workplace-VIDEO Article
• Here's How to Build and Keep Workplace Motivation and Inspiration High, for Yourself and Your Team
• Definition of Leadership:Four Skills That Make or Break All Leaders
• Defeat Communication Anxiety Around Resolving Conflict and Mis-Understandings Article and the Video Version
• Situational Leadership Guide - Understanding Your Communication Style
• What is Feedback? How to Survive a 360 Feedback Survey
• Relationship Communication Breakdown: The Greatest Hindrance
• Leadership Articles

Intrinsic motivation and inspiration resources are added every week. Click on our RSS Feed, above on your left, to be notified when new resources are added.

I also share new intrinsic motivation and self awareness insights in my monthly online e-newsletter. You can subscribe here:

You can also be notified when new intrinsic motivation material is added through my online eNewsletter.
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