Unfortunate fact: People don’t always do what we want them to do.
What do you do when your star performer suddenly seems disengaged? Or when a trusted team member casually mentions they’ve applied for another internal role?
Keeping your team motivated is hard—especially when your own energy is stretched thin. Motivation ebbs and flows for all of us.
One of my clients recently found himself in this spot. His top performer wanted to move into a new role, but there were no openings. After an honest conversation about the lack of advancement opportunities, he tried to keep this person engaged—offering mentorship, side projects, visibility. But privately, he worried it wasn’t enough.
What struck me wasn’t the tactics. It was the quiet pressure he felt to stay upbeat and keep them motivated. He was doing what most leaders do—motivating others the way he wants to be motivated: through recognition, responsibility, and forward momentum.
His approach wasn’t wrong. It just wasn’t tailored.
We all have a default motivational style. But motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all.
That’s where the Integrative Enneagram comes in. It offers a framework for understanding core drivers—your own and those of your team. There are nine distinct motivations. You may relate to several, but one usually drives the way you lead, perform, and engage.
Type 1: Have to do the right thing
Type 2: Have to be liked
Type 3: Have to outshine the rest
Type 4: Have to be unique
Type 5: Have to understand
Type 6: Have to be safe
Type 7: Have to experience it all
Type 8: Have to be in control
Type 9: Have to keep balance
Understanding your own core motivation helps you see your default approach, one that may or may not work for your team. Couple this increased self-awareness with insights into your team member’s motivation will change how you lead. You stop guessing. You stop projecting. And you start speaking to what actually drives performance.
Curious to explore what truly motivates your team—or yourself? Reach out to Starla to start the conversation.
Starla Sireno is recognized as one of the top executive coaches in NYC. Starla is in the business of transforming executives into better leaders and better humans. Inquire how to work with Starla or her team.