Inspiration and motivation come from a combination of factors. These include: learning skills, working with stimulating colleagues, seeing the effort as part of a bigger whole, and having scope for innovation. These are sometimes summarised as mastery, autonomy and purpose.
Nick Lyons, Lincoln
I started my own business at the young age of 70. Every day is different and most days I meet new people. It gives me excitement when things go wrong and need correcting, and satisfaction when I make a customer happy. I don’t think we Brits are very good in big companies, but we are outstanding when we can use our initiative in small dynamic companies.
William Richardson, Buckinghamshire
As a design engineer my motivation always came from wanting to see the designs built and operational. Now as a manager it comes from wanting to see young engineers develop their skills and become the best they can be.
Stuart Vass, Derby
A fair reward system is vital to achieving good staff motivation. There needs to be a connection between the value of work done and the reward given. Setting clear goals and expressing recognition for good work goes a long way.
Alan Holbrook, Thakeham, West Sussex
I count myself fortunate to work in an “employer owned” company. As a shareholder, it helps to focus the mind and provide motivation! Working on renewable energy provides challenges and satisfaction when projects finally start generating electrical energy.
Jonathan Cox, Aberystwyth
After many years of long, hard hours pushing boundaries and meeting deadlines for no extra anything (satisfying but financially unrewarding work) I am now driven by what I can achieve outside of work. My motivation is to work effectively within my working hours. Anything beyond this I now view as an intrusion into my life.
Chris Deer, Petersfield, Hampshire
Motivation comes from within. Having an interesting and challenging job which is well rewarded is key. Engineering offers this type of career in spades, but, if it’s not in you and you’re not interested, it never will be.
David Scott, York
I’ve seen abandoned factories, and once-famous sites swept away by retail parks and housing estates. To be in a living, bustling factory full of people and forklift trucks, brightly lit on a dark winter’s evening, reminds me that I’m part of something important.
David Andrews, Peterborough
My company works in the area of reducing atmospheric CO2, such as capture, transmission and storage. So what motivates me? Saving the planet, so that my grandchildren can enjoy the world that my generation have squandered so badly. My motivational tools? To look into their eyes and think how I might answer the question “What is the legacy that your generation left for mine?”
Andy Brown, Gloucester
A genuine thank you and word of encouragement does wonders for me. I apply the same to my team and ensure that, whilst results are required, effort needs to be recognised too.
James Barry, Warwick
I use the technique of giving myself a small reward when a task is completed, such as a cup of tea. Larger tasks may be rewarded with a 30-minute run! I am motivated to simply do the best I can.
Jonathan Percival, Huntingdon
A great deal of project work relies on junior staff doing routine work. I try to take a close interest in what they are doing and keep them informed about the project as a whole. One should try and lead by example. In my experience working with Japanese engineers, I found that after the working day they would stay on and talk about work rather than actually doing it.
Norman Deane, Cirencester
I don’t recall any need for motivational tools. The creation of a device that does something never done before is motivation enough. Maintaining market leadership in the face of competition provides further stimulus.
Clive Renton, Chippenham, Wiltshire
Whilst pay is a start, it is far from the be all and end all. Being appreciated and valued counts for a lot and knowing that one has an important role which is recognised. Poor working conditions can be de-motivators, as can poor IT support, unfriendly colleagues and a blame culture.
Richard Greville, Lutterworth, Leicestershire