4 Core Motivations of Life — Which One Are You?

Why did I write this post?

One of the most valuable pieces of leadership advice I’ve received is:

“You need to understand what motivates your team.”

It’s not merely advice; it’s a principle.

Whether you’re seeking to attract top talents, find a co-founder for your venture, or persuade investors to invest in your product, understanding motivations is key.

However, this principle extends far beyond leadership and management.

It is the crux of how you can succeed in almost everything! 🚀

4 Core Motivations by the CIA

There are four core motivations that the CIA instructs field agents to identify in every human asset. They employ the acronym R-I-C-E to encapsulate these motivations.

• R stands for reward.
• I stands for ideology.
• C stands for coercion.
• E stands for ego.

They are relatively easy to comprehend.

A reward can be anything that motivates someone to work for you, whether it’s money, praise, promotion or even a free vacation.

Ideology is what people believe in.

Coercion involves forcing someone through things like blackmail, guilt, or debt.