Dangerous Motivations

Challenging thought patterns and engage in deeper examination

On International Women’s Day, I encountered a fresh way of viewing motivation on The Daily Jay on my Calm App. This episode is called “The Four Motivations” for those with Calm subscriptions. Jay Shetty divided motivation into higher and lower levels. I began to visualize them as four-square boxes with higher motivations in the top two boxes and lower motivations in the bottom two boxes.

The higher motivations are duty and love. The lower are fear and desire. I was immediately challenged by the idea that desire is a lower motivation and duty a higher one. I love this feeling. The one that challenges thought patterns and demands deeper examination. This is Dangerous Leader kind of thinking — the kind that asks you questions like “why do you believe that?” or “who told you that?” or “how is this serving me?” These questions are the kind of questions I want leaders to ask to avoid doing things because that is “just the way” What if there is a better way?

So, practicing what I teach, I allowed myself to be challenged and stay open-minded to the idea that duty may not be the cage I associated with it and desire may not be the freedom I feel with it. And as experience continues to show me, opening my mind to possibility meant expansion.

First, we must challenge our feelings about the end, justifying the means. If a goal or outcome is good, with good intentions or meaning, who cares what the motivation is right? This is where being aware of how each motivation is defined matters. How being conscious of your motivating energy could influence the impact you want to be making.

Let’s start with fear. If we are operating from fear we are reacting, not taking intentional action. I advocating thinking through the difference between reaction and response. Reaction is the thing we don’t think about. Response is the conscious action.

If we are in desire, we are often trying to get something to satisfy our ego and we are always left chasing. The inherent value of the object of your desire is lost when you want it for only your benefit. In this same venue, I often talk with clients about how they define want and need. This awareness can allow you to notice desire and assess it.

Fear and desire are externally driven. They are often based on what we think the world around us is demanding of us. Or what we think we need to be in order to fulfill a vision that may or may not be our own.

Duty and Love on the other hand, come from within. These are intrinsic motivation based on what we value most. Both being sacred when viewed from a place of connection and not obligation. When we are connected with our work, with those we lead, with our sense of mission, and have a sense that our work matters we work from duty and love.

This applies to those we lead as well. Which quadrant would they fall into? What kind of culture do you create as a leader that contributes to higher motivations? These simple questions can help guide your motivations and create a space for those you work with to find as well. Dangerous leaders seek the very best spaces they can operate from. Check in with your motivations.

Live Dangerously, Be You.

Dr. Jennifer Smith is a Cedar Rapids-based personal and executive coach, speaker, and unapologetic optimist. Comments: jennifer@dangerousleader.com; @dr.jennsmith on Instagram