One of the essential skills for good management - whether it be people management or project management - is the ability to motivate people.  Countless books and articles have been written about motivational tips, tools, and techniques, but I would like to focus on the idea that people are motivated in individually different ways, and whatever motivational techniques you may use, the key is not to master a technique and use it on everyone;  The key is to tailor an individual technique for each individual person.

The notion that all people should be treated the same is foolish and short-sighted.  All people should be treated fairly.  All people should be treated with respect.  All people should be given opportunities to succeed.  But none of those requires that all people be treated the same.  All people are not the same, and as a manager, it is important that you recognize that and that you work with each person to bring out the best in them - their strengths, their gifts, and their passions.  Part of that process is learning what motivates each person, so that you can influence them as individuals, not just as "generic" members of a group.

There is a fantastic book on marriage called "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.  The premise of the book is that if you want to show someone you love them, you don't do so by acting in ways that make you feel loved - you find out what makes them feel loved, and focus on those behaviors.

This same principle can be translated to management and motivation.  If you can identify what motivates each person on an individual basis, you can begin to "speak their language" and drive them to work harder, take more initiative, and even to appreciate and enjoy their work.

In the next article, I will lay out 7 different motivating factors that I have observed in different people in the workplace.