Motivation Lead to Innovation

5DKE...LHhF
29 May 2022
22

Photo by VioletaStoimenova


Motivation is essential to innovation. People motivated to innovate often have a strong sense of purpose and are willing to take risks. This combination can lead to breakthroughs in technology, business, and even society.

People with a strong motivation are often more likely to be innovative than those without it. Many successful startups start with a creative idea from a motivated individual.

People who lack motivation may not take risks or may not have the conviction to see their project through to completion. This can be detrimental to their efforts, as it's much harder for an unsuccessful startup to recover from missed opportunities than for a successful one.


Leaders who provide strong motivation can encourage their team members to find new ways of doing things, even if those ways may be unconventional or risky. This creativity can lead to new products and services that people value, encouraging more innovation.

Definition of Motivation

Motivation is the drive or inclination to do something. It can be viewed as a force that propels an individual to action or as a source of energy that helps people achieve their goals.

Motivation can come from within (internal motivation) or without (external motivation). It can be directed towards personal accomplishment or group success.

There are many sources of motivation, including intrinsic factors such as enjoyment and satisfaction, extrinsic factors such as rewards and punishments, and cognitive factors such as beliefs and reasoning.

Motivation is often thought of in either willpower (the ability to resist temptation) or emotions (such as joy, happiness, anger, and sadness).

However, it is important to remember that motivation is complex and multi-dimensional; different people may experience different motivations at different times.

Why does it matter for innovation?

Motivation is an important factor for innovation, as it can help people explore new ideas and come up with new ways to do things.

It can also help them stay focused on their goals and keep working towards them even when things get complicated.

The art of innovation | Guy Kawasaki | TEDxBerkeley - YouTube



In the words of one expert on motivation, "The ability to focus attention on a goal, resist distractions, persist in the face of obstacles, and remain committed despite setbacks is essential for innovation."

Innovation is a process that starts with ideation and ends with a product or service launch. It requires dedication, creativity, skill, and perseverance. It's also important to have the right motivation to succeed in this field.

There are many different types of motivation, and each person is likely to respond differently to varying forms of encouragement.

Some people may need specific motivation to be creative; others may be more drawn to immediate rewards opportunities.

Whatever type of motivation works best for an individual is often necessary for success in innovation – after all, creativity is often about taking risks and exploring new territory.

A Startup Needs Motivation

Motivation is a key ingredient in the success of any startup. Without it, teams can quickly become bogged down by challenges and discouragement. Here are four reasons why startups need to stay motivated:

1. Motivation breeds creativity. When their company's mission inspires employees, they are more likely to develop new ideas and solutions.

2. Motivation keeps employees focused on the goals of their company. When employees are constantly pushed to achieve results, they remain dedicated to their work and are less likely to get sidetracked.

3. Motivation inspires employees to take on new challenges. When employees feel like they're part of a team trying to make a difference, they're more likely to be willing to take on difficult tasks or go above and beyond for the company.

4. Motivation keeps workers organized and efficient. Workers who are motivated to achieve goals are more efficient and organized. In addition, motivation keeps people focused and on task, which is especially important in the startup phase of a company. When employees feel like they have a reason to stay committed to their job, they are more likely to be productive.

The Role of Motivation in Innovation

Motivation is an essential factor in creativity and problem-solving. It has been shown that when individuals are motivated to think creatively or solve problems, they perform better than when not.

Motivation can come from various sources, including personal goals, social pressure, and incentives.

When individuals are motivated to think creatively or solve problems, they often produce more innovative ideas than those who are not. Some research suggests that as much as 75% of innovation can be attributed to motivation alone.

Role of Motivation in Entrepreneurship - Techfunnel



This is because creative thinkers tend to be imaginative and have a flexible mindset; they can see things from new perspectives and develop new solutions to problems.

However, motivation isn't magic; it doesn't work on its own. Instead, it requires supportive factors such as good training and education in creativity and problem-solving.

Goal Orientation in Motivation

Goal orientation is a key component of motivation. Having a clear and concise goal and the belief that achieving the goal is essential helps individuals stay focused and strive for success.

When goals are well defined, people feel ownership in their accomplishments, which leads to greater motivation and effort. Furthermore, when goals are challenging yet achievable, individuals are more likely to be satisfied with their progress.

Goal orientation impacts motivation and achievement - Trickle 


When it comes to motivating employees, it is important to create goals that challenge them but still feel achievable.

For example, one goal might be to increase sales by 10%. However, another goal might be to increase sales by 50%, which would be more challenging and rewarding.

Employers can encourage employees to give their best efforts and achieve success by providing challenges and rewards for reaching goals.

Types of Motivation

Motivation can be classified into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from within the individual, while extrinsic motivation comes from external factors.


Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation have their benefits and drawbacks. However, intrinsic motivation is often more satisfying than external rewards based on personal satisfaction.

However, extrinsic motivation can be more effective in motivating individuals to achieve specific goals. Extrinsic motivators can be things like money, praise, or recognition.

Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are essential for creativity and innovation. When individuals are motivated by intrinsic motivations, they're more likely to develop new ideas.

On the other hand, when individuals are motivated by extrinsic incentives, they're more likely to pursue those ideas through actionable plans.

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic 

There is a growing body of literature exploring the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in innovation. Intrinsic motivation comes from within and typically refers to a desire to do something for its own sake rather than out of external rewards or pressures.

On the other hand, extrinsic motivation is driven by external factors such as monetary compensation or praise.

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation: What's the Difference?



While both forms of motivation can be effective in certain circumstances, research suggests that intrinsic motivation is more often associated with creativity and innovation.

The benefits of intrinsic motivation are well documented. Individuals who are intrinsically motivated are more likely to be satisfied with their work, enjoy it more, and be more productive overall.

They also tend to be more creative and innovative than those who are extrinsically motivated.

Final Thought

Motivation is a key ingredient for innovation. It can help startups and companies drive forward, especially when coupled with creativity and a willingness to take risks.

The ability to stay focused in the face of difficulty is also essential, as is the ability to see opportunities where others might not. These qualities come together in what has been termed "the startup mindset."

There's no one formula for motivating people, but often there are elements of creativity, risk-taking, and determination that are necessary ingredients. One way to encourage these qualities in your employees or team members is to model them yourself.

This can be not easy, but it's important if you want your company or team to be successful.

Follow me on X @MiguelNorberto_

Follow Me

Enjoy this blog? Subscribe to Miguel

10 Comments

B
No comments yet.
Most relevant comments are displayed, so some may have been filtered out.