As a manager, one of my priorities is to understand what truly motivates the people I work with. Not just what their job is, but why they do it, what gives them energy, what frustrates them, and what makes them grow.
One tool that really helps me with that is Moving Motivators, from Management 3.0. It’s a simple card game that opens the door to deep, honest conversations.
What is Moving Motivators?
The game is based on ten intrinsic motivators, like Curiosity, Mastery, Order, Status, Freedom, and others. Each one is printed on a card. The idea is simple: you look at all the cards and rank them from the most important to the least important, based on what matters to you at work.
It’s not about right or wrong. It’s just about what drives you.
How I use it
I don’t use Moving Motivators in workshops or team activities. I prefer to do it in 1o1 sessions, just me and my colleague. I give them the cards, ask them to take their time, and I watch them think.
That moment is often more valuable than the final result. I see them hesitate, move cards around, change their mind. I ask questions like, “Why did you put this one so high?” or “Can you think of a moment when this motivator was really satisfied at work?”
It’s not just a game. It’s a way to get the person talking about their experiences, their expectations, and sometimes even their frustrations. They often bring up real-life examples, stories I wouldn’t have heard otherwise.
What it brings (for both of us)
For me, it’s a chance to get to know the person better, beyond their tasks and responsibilities. I learn how they think, what they value, and how I can support them in a more meaningful way.
But it’s not just for me. The exercise also helps the person understand themselves better. I’ve seen people surprised by their own ranking, saying things like “I didn’t expect this one to be so important to me.” It’s a moment of self-reflection, and sometimes a bit of self-criticism too. In a good way.
In short
Moving Motivators is simple, but powerful. It creates space for honest conversation, reflection, and connection. If you’re a manager and want to go beyond the usual check-ins, I highly recommend trying it.
Just take the time, be curious, and listen.
How to get the game: https://management30.com/practice/moving-motivators/