Which of the following sets of statements is most true for you?

B

In competitive situations, I will do almost anything I can to win.

Y

I make choices that put me in charge of my own time. I don’t like to just follow orders and work in a very structured work environment.

R

I seek opportunities where I am rewarded for my individual effort. If I work hard, I want that to directly affect my wallet.

G

I want to be an integral part of a larger effort that is doing something positive in the world. I want to help people.

What type of reality show would you have the best chance of winning?

R

Sell it! A race to make a million selling anything.

Y

Make it original. The most creative people compete to come up with unusual ideas.

B

Convince me! Contestants debate to win arguments and influence people.

G

Save them! A group of participants compete to convert a group of hardened ex-convicts to more altruistic people, with something to give back to the world.

In researching a new job, which of the following would be a deal breaker:

Y

It’s very routine work, long hours and some weekends required.

R

The pay is not the greatest.

G

The company exploits people all over the world.

B

You’re working underneath a lot of senior people who will take credit for what you do.

The full-time job you would most dread having would be:

B

Housekeeper.

G

Army Commander leading invasion.

Y

Toll collector.

R

Unpaid volunteer, soup kitchen.

When you’re at a party, you gravitate toward:

R

Strangers who can advance your career.

B

People who you know well and are impressed by your abilities.

Y

Fascinating folks with interesting stories.

G

People who could really use your helpful advice.

In school, if you had to pick, you were more of a:

B

Debate team member/high achiever.

Y

Artistic individual.

G

Peer counselor, supportive friend.

R

Captain of the basketball team.

If given an important work project you prefer:

Y

To do one portion of it alone, setting your own schedule.

G

To work within the group and take on whatever role is most helpful.

R

To manage the project, as long as there is increased compensation for completion.

B

To be in charge so that it is done correctly, and that you get the credit!

Your typical daydream tends to involve:

R

A private jet and a luxury Ferrari.

Y

A Pulitzer Prize for writing or creativity.

B

Your photo on the cover of Time magazine.

G

Ending world hunger.

Which act would you find hardest to forgive? Someone …

G

Dumping waste at your local lake.

Y

Accusing you of being an unoriginal copycat.

R

Judging you as having cheap taste.

B

Humiliating you in public.

If you have to play a game for several hours, you would have the most fun playing:

R

Risk or Monopoly.

Y

Pictionary or Balderdash.

G

The Mad Sad Glad Game about Feelings or Make It Green!

B

Trivial Pursuit or Go to the Head of Class.

Which set of activities most appeal to you?

R

Produce results, grow, fix, construct, build.

B

Lead, influence, persuade, perform, command, manage, direct.

G

Inform, enlighten, help, teach, heal, develop, support.

Y

Innovate, create, imagine, explore, fantasize, intuit, sense.

You would most like to be admired by
others as …

G

The Martin Luther King Jr. of your industry.

R

The John Rockefeller of your industry.

Y

The Michelangelo of your industry.

B

The Neil Armstrong of your industry.

Your dream vacation just got a lot better because it involves:

B

Speaking at a convention to a captive audience.

Y

Spending quality time alone and being creative.

R

An opportunity to make some big money.

G

Volunteering at a shelter in an economically developing nation.

The super-power app that you would love to have on your phone would most likely involve:

R

Generating a new source of income at the touch of a button.

G

Connecting you to people that could help restore balance and tranquility to the planet.

Y

Providing you with sought-after sources for selling your unique and original ideas to others.

B

Giving you a platform for leading the masses to follow your lead and offer you accolades.

Which of these phrases is most true about you at work?

G

I need to make a difference in the lives of other people.

R

I want to feel proud of the amount of money I earn.

Y

I just want to be left alone to do my thing and do it well.

B

I need to be in charge of other people.

Time to find your type!
Now that you’ve answered the questions, it’s time to tally up your responses and find your motivation type. Count up your answers in terms of B, Y, R, G (blue, yellow, red, green) symbols. Although each type may apply to you to a degree, the type with the most points is your dominant motivation type. If there is a tie, you are equally motivated by a variety of factors. Read both types because both pertain to you. Lucky you, you have a lot of choices to pick from.

B: Praise-oriented achiever. You may be strongly motivated by receiving recognition in your work. In most things you do, you probably like to be in charge, in the spotlight and enjoy influencing others to see things your way. You are likely to be quite ambitious and feel driven to succeed and enjoy positions of power. Occupations that you might consider exploring include corporate leadership jobs where you are managing others, as well as lecturer, professor, lawyer, head of industry, lobbyist, politician or consultant.