The Five Levels of Motivation
The top five motivation that leaders use are toxic fear, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation , play, creativity, expression, and love.
Alex Lieberman on the topic of motivation:
When I was building my first business, >75% of my motivation was driven by powerful extrinsics (Level 2).
First, I feared that my family wouldn't have enough money. My dad had passed away suddenly, my mom had retired, and I had no idea how much money resided in the Lieberman household.
All I could visualize were bills flying off our money pile & nothing replacing it. So, during my final interaction with my dad, I said to him, "I'll take care of our family, you don't have to worry."
It's impossible to express how much of a fire that lit under me.
Second, I had a massive chip on my shoulder from being bullied for 8 years straight as a kid. From 5th to 12th grade I never felt smart, I never felt attractive, I never felt belonging. I so badly wanted to prove that I was worthy & business became my vehicle for doing so.
Then I sold my business & everything changed.
My motivation went from a 12/10 to a 2/10 & I was lost AF.
It took me a year of meandering reflection, but I came to the conclusion that fear-based motivation is wildly effective, but it can be short-lived & doesn't create sustained happiness.
Obvious, but sometimes you gotta experience lessons to learn them.
Once money & sense of self were no longer concerns, the associated motivation evaporated.
I was left empty, directionless, and uninspired.
As I've found my footing, a large part of my path forward has depended on my ability to shift from level 2 (extrinsic motivation) to levels 3 & 4 (intrinsic & play/creativity).
Today, as I build companies (and really approach anything in my life), I ask myself two qualifying questions before giving a "hell yea."
1) Does this make me feel more or less like 3-year-old Alex? (read: full of play, curiosity, and wonder)
2) Will the pace & type of learning be intoxicating?
This form of motivation may be less intense than that which drove me to take care of my family & prove the haters wrong, but I'm willing to bet my happiness on the slower burn.
Image Description
The image lists five levels of motivation typically used by leaders: 1) Toxic fear, 2) Extrinsic motivation, 3) Intrinsic motivation, 4) Play, creativity, and expression, 5) Love. It notes that levels one and two leave a negative residue, while levels three to five do not. The text suggests great leaders should motivate using methods that avoid negative impacts.
Positive Aspects
The image effectively complements the blog post by visually categorizing the levels of motivation. It highlights the progression from fear-based to love-based motivation, reinforcing the narrative of moving towards more sustainable and fulfilling motivational strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Motivation can be categorized into five levels: toxic fear, extrinsic, intrinsic, play/creativity, and love.
- Fear-based motivation can be powerful but often leads to negative consequences and is not sustainable.
- Shifting to intrinsic motivation and play/creativity can lead to a more fulfilling and happy life.
- Leaders should aim to motivate using methods that avoid negative impacts, focusing on levels three to five.
- Personal experiences and reflections can illuminate the transition from extrinsic to intrinsic motivations.
Additional Insights
Alex Lieberman's story is a vivid reminder that while fear and extrinsic motivations can drive initial success, they often leave us feeling empty once those needs are met. It's like climbing a mountain only to find the view isn't what you expected. By tapping into intrinsic motivation and embracing creativity, we can find a more sustainable path to fulfillment—one that feels less like a sprint and more like a joyful journey.
