The Motivation Matrix: Exploring What Drives You and Your Team

Motivational seminars, books, and meetings—are they helpful or just “magic kicks”?
- Do Tony Robbins’ high-energy events really motivate?
- What types of motivational events and materials are out there?
- How can you find the best format for yourself and your team?

In this article, I’ve tried to thoughtfully and engagingly explore the topic of motivational training.

My name is Olga Fedoseeva, and I’m the founder of UnitiQ (we offer quick hiring services for HR professionals on any terms). We’ve been in the HR field for a long time—20 years, to be exact.

In Latin, the words "emotional" (affectionalis) and "action" (effectus) share the same root, which translates to "toward a driving cause." A sudden realization of cause and effect can spark a powerful emotion that leads to immediate action. Perhaps this is why Tony Robbins’ performances are so emotional and his messages so straightforward. Essentially, his points boil down to eight key principles:

Move your body - feel it become stronger and more athletic, and thereby condition yourself for success.

Shift your focus from the negative to the positive.

Change your environment - surround yourself with people who have something you don't.

Visualize - picture the moment you achieve your goal.

5. Use priming - a technique that through gratitude helps rewire your brain for a quick emotional shift.

Start taking important steps today - no more waiting.

Condition your body to handle new challenges until they become the norm.

Overcome fear.

You can find scientific studies on each of these points, supported by research, citations, and credible conclusions. Yet somehow, these articles often fail to motivate—at least not everyone.

We can categorize motivational materials into three main types, each tailored to a different audience:

1. Scientific materials
2. Popular materials
3. The full-on "disco"

Each group includes both scientifically grounded content and blatant fakes. But the delivery is what truly distinguishes them, and followers of one group often criticize the others. If you’re reading this article, we likely belong to the second group.

In reality, there’s a fourth group as well: those who draw their motivation from art. They’re unlikely to swap a night at the theater for a Tony Robbins seminar or a scholarly article.

Motivational strategies as driving forces fit neatly into a system that psychologist David Kolb described in the mid-20th century. He identified these approaches as part of a unique behavior pattern that people follow.

1. Accommodative (Feeling and Doing)
This type of motivation comes from practical experience and experimentation. People in this group rely on intuition rather than logic when solving problems and tend to work with others to set goals and complete tasks.

Audience: Tony Robbins fans - gather these people together frequently for dancing, karaoke, and sports competitions. You don’t even need to say much; they’ll be back at work, fired up, by Monday.

2. Divergent (Feeling and Observing)
This style involves looking at situations from various perspectives and gathering information. People motivated by this approach thrive in study groups, listen to multiple viewpoints, and enjoy brainstorming ideas.

Audience: The Ministry of Culture - heartfelt conversations, a warm collective, and meaningful work are enough to keep them motivated.

3. Convergent (Thinking and Doing)
These individuals are driven by practical tasks where they can apply specific solutions. They enjoy finding real-world applications for concepts and theories.

Audience: People like us - we need to understand how things work. Only then do we take action. Could we attend a Tony Robbins event? Maybe, but not before we’ve read up on how it all functions. I attended Vladimir Gerasichev’s training and shared my experience in the article "The Context Training—What Was It Like and Is It Worth Going?"

4. Assimilative (Thinking and Observing)
For this group, motivation lies in concepts and ideas. They prefer lectures, reading, and working independently, often analyzing large volumes of information and organizing it into logical structures.

Audience: Scientific journals readers - what do they need for motivation? Probably just an internet connection. These individuals may not require external motivation for work but perhaps need it to pull them away from it.

People don’t typically desire things based on their needs alone. Desires are tied to how they want to meet those needs. You can see this clearly when you imagine two people with the same need, like the need to rest. One dreams of hiking in the mountains, while the other longs to relax on the couch. If you swap their preferences, their motivation will vanish, and the need will remain unmet.

The world of motivation is vast and nuanced, as David Kolb’s model shows. The effectiveness of motivational methods—whether it's a high-energy seminar or a quiet day of reflection—depends on your individual preferences and personality. Tony Robbins’ style works for some because it taps into the primal drive for action, while for others, deep reflection or artistic expression offers more lasting inspiration.

What’s critical is understanding your own motivational style and that of your team. Trying to push a "one-size-fits-all" approach can backfire, leading to frustration or disengagement. It’s essential to recognize that not everyone will respond to loud, energetic sessions. Some need intellectual engagement, others a nurturing environment, and yet others an exciting, communal experience.

From my perspective, a more effective approach to motivation involves a blend of understanding your emotional triggers and actionable steps, combined with an environment that fosters growth tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're dancing to Robbins’ beats or quietly reflecting on an article, find what moves you. That’s where true motivation lies.

At UnitiQ, our HR experts are dedicated to taking care of all your HR needs, from quick hiring solutions to developing effective team motivation strategies. Whether you're looking to boost productivity or foster a positive work environment, we’re here to help your team thrive.

Contact me directly:
My Telegram and LinkedIn Profiles.