On Wed, 24 Mar 1999 "Eugene Kowch, Jr." wrote Re: Motivation (Expanded) ?
>
>What a lively thread !
[...]
>I wonder if anyone out there thinks that Argyris and subsequent fellows (Shon,
>Schein, 199X) may add another dimension to the motivation issue. [..] Does
>the psychological contract concept add
>anything to motivation thinking both in the field and in academe?
I learned several years ago to always have a more challenging goal in place
before the "portfolio of GE employees for which I was responsible" achieved
the more immediate goal.
This may sound screwy but I learned this when the kids' first Collie was on
his last legs, literally, and a wise veterinarian suggested it was time for
a new puppy. Everyone was sad to see Sean Charlemagne McBuff go but puppy
Buffy attracted lots of attention and fun. To have no goal is to be
rudderless. And the goals that reach beyond performance into meaning and
even into altruism are the most powerful attractors of human enthusiasm.
I have even seen the goal of "learning" embraced by adults to the extent
they demanded change -- or at least became concerned if our business was
not experiencing change. Organizational resistance to change is a symptom
of inept management, not a natural characteristic of people.
When the smoke all clears the root of motivation, inspiration, enthusiasm
or whatever you want to call it, is enkaphalons. When the brain secretes
enkaphalons you feel joy and become strongly focused on seeking a repeat.
Or is it that the enkaphalons are secreted only after you feel joy? At any
rate the level of human energy and tenacity seems highly correlated with
good feelings -- overcoming the three fears that Will Schultes, UCLA,
describes.
Jack Ring, 32712 N. 70th St., Snottsdale, AZ 85262-7143
602-488-4615, Cell) 602.369.4615, Fax)602-488-4616
Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.