I grew up on a rural farm in Kentucky and we only had 1-2 neighbors with kids my age. We had 3 channels on the TV, no DVR, no cell phones and no video games. You may be feeling sorry for me thinking I was bored and lonely? Don’t needlessly spend your sympathy, I was just fine. Peaceful? Yes! Lonely? No! We had a team of family, neighbors and hired workers and we enjoyed the common theme of accomplishing whatever we had decided to do. For instance, for several years we raised sugar cane and made molasses. This was an extremely challenging enterprise culminating in a large social event in Autumn and we worked very hard. However, our team of workers pitched in and produced a lot of sorghum to sell and at the end of each year, we hated to see everyone go back to their regular routine. We had a lot of people that worked with and for us for years whom we didn’t pay much money. Why did they work under such conditions? It occurs to me now that the currency was partly money, but mostly conversation, companionship and being a part of the family.
In those early farming days we didn’t sit and journal about what the motivations were of each person who helped us. There weren’t many options for making extra money, so sometimes neighbors would show up to make a some dollars. Sometimes they were actually bored and just needed something to keep them busy. Many times these individuals just liked to be around other people and be involved. We always shared a lot of laughter, togetherness and a common goal. This concept may be one of the main factors of what has held the farm families to that lifestyle for generation after generation.
This leads me to consider our workforce troubles today. What is the currency of the day? What motivates people to do what they do? Is it money, or was it ever money, or is it the desire to be included in a team? Is it security? I think the answers vary widely and are specific to each individual. For instance, consider why do you go to work everyday. It may be hard to put your finger on, but if you give it due consideration you may be able to better adjust your work-life to be more in line with something in which you find contentment and peace.
The success of any effort that is bigger than myself depends on help from other people. When I need help, understanding what is in it for the other person is a key to successful recruitment. One of the most common mistakes in American business is the assumption that people are happier when they are paid more. This is more untrue than true. I think if a poorly managed fast food restaurant was paying $25/ hour, they would still have trouble finding loyal, accountable and dependable workers.
So I don’t offer a specific formula solving this question. Rather, I suggest the mindset of getting to know the people on whom you are depending and looking for those telling clues as to what they need out of the arrangement to be happy.