5 factors that motivate employees

Do you think that motivational factors vary according to job, sector or age? Some do, but most are common to almost everyone. The good news is that you can build on these pillars to improve loyalty and performance.

1- Production

We carried out a survey of 52,000 people over six years, based on assessment tests. The results show that one of the primary motivating factors, regardless of gender or function, is the concept of achievement. "It's about finding satisfaction in achieving objectives, taking on challenges and seeing the results of your work in concrete terms", explains PerformanSe R&D.

2- Organisation

It's a concept that can encompass a variety of realities, but it can be summed up as "the desire to work within something defined, to have an established structure or clear, precise guidelines." Yes, even for creative profiles who are often imagined to be looking for independence rather than a clear-cut framework! It's up to managers to define deadlines and juggle between those who want daily updates and those who need a weekly or monthly schedule, for example.

3- Autonomy

"It might seem contradictory in relation to the second motivator, but just because you need structure doesn't mean you don't want to have a certain amount of freedom and work at your own pace. It's an interesting mix of a desire for organisation and autonomy". And not necessarily easy to manage! Companies can put in place flexible working hours, the possibility of organising their timetable over the week or even teleworking to meet their teams' desire for independence without leaving them to their own devices.

4- Learning

Continuing to learn and develop skills throughout one's career is vital for everyone, but even more so, according to the PerformanSe survey, for senior citizens. "Among the over-50s, there is a slight shift from doing to learning. I'm speculating, but it's possible that after having produced a lot in the first part of their career, there's a desire to return to the path of discovery". So we need to focus on training opportunities for these audiences.

5- Recognition

It can take many forms (from a simple gift voucher to a major promotion), but it remains a priority for everyone. It's often assumed that the motivations of men and women are not the same, but the truth is that "while empathy or non-verbal or non-financial recognition may be more important for women, the basic logic and motivation remain the same". It's all about being congratulated and rewarded for a job well done.