In the book, “How Will You Measure Your Life?” (HarperBusiness May 15, 2012, ISBN 000749151), authors Clayton Chistensen, Karen Dillon and James Allworth draw on their extensive research to describe the critical distinction between a job’s “hygiene” factors (money and incentives being the most well understood factors, but others including things like not having a boss who mistreats you) and motivating factors. At best, the research finds, hygiene factors will keep you from being dissatisfied with your job. But it’s the MOTIVATING factors that lead to job satisfaction and happiness.

Significantly, every individual has his or her own, unique motivating factors. Understand these for each person and the organization will accomplish much more than through even the most innovative incentive program.

A powerful tool that I use with my clients is called the Predictive Index®. In less than 10 minutes, PI® identifies an individual’s primary behavioral motivations and also describes how predictive these behaviors will be demonstrated by the individual. Armed with this knowledge, leaders can align the person’s natural behaviors with the demands of the job. This alignment sets the person up for success, job satisfaction and happiness instead of failure and frustration.

By aligning the person’s motivating factors with the demands of their job, everyone wins.