You don’t have to be a manager to know that some people seem to always do what is asked or expected of them and others don’t, even when it has been made clear that failure to achieve a goal will bring negative consequences for them. Philip G. Zimbardo, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Stanford University, provides some illuminating insights into human behavior with six categories of people he outlines in his research on “The Secret Powers of Time”. There are two variations each of past, present and future-orientation. Yes, culture plays a role, but so do religion, socio-economic condition and personal perspective.
If you want to find out about your own time perspective, you can complete an on-line questionnaire at http://www.thetimeparadox.com/surveys/.
Zimbardo gave a 40 minute talk for the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London where he lays out his basic concept, which you can view on YouTube. It is well worth the time (no pun intended) because it may help you to see that vastly different motivational strategies may be necessary with different employees, family members, etc.
View the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJybVxUiy2U.
- Herb