subject: Evolution, Motivation, Success And You [print this page] If your education was anything like mine, you learned that the process of evolution was all about one species dominating and crushing other species in order to survive. The same idea seems to have affected the way many businesses have functioned throughout history. They set out to wipe out the competition, to swallow up the weaker businesses, and to dominate the market.
But in recent times scientists have learned that evolution doesn't work that way. Nature functions in a complex ecosystem that is much more collaborative and social than previously thought. Ecosystems work together to produce life. Even looking at the simple example of a tree, we can see that the tree needs rain, sun light, soil, the atmosphere and many other factors to survive. At the same time, a tree gives back to nature oxygen, cooling shade, and habitats for animals. Even when it dies, it decomposes and leaves the earth more fertile for future life.
What's cool is that many businesses today are following this more collaborative view of nature and evolution, and as a result they are developing highly motivated workers and finding enormous success. These top companies are seeing that they can be more successful if they work to benefit the business environment and the community, rather than just trying to dominate and crush the competitors.
One example of this is a company called Mind Valley. Started by Vishen Lakhiani, Mind Valley is a personal development company that has built a team of professionals from 16 different countries. His overall goal, according to the Mind Valley Web site, is to transform "the global education system and heighten human consciousness by combining marketing and technology to help spread enlightened ideas."
What I find to be fascinating about this company is the way Vishen set out to motivate his employees. Most traditional companies only motivate employees with money. But Vishen came up with four things that a good business should have to produce highly motivated employees. First, he believes that people need education, the chance to learn and grow as professionals. Second, they need a fun work environment.
Third, people need financial incentives to be motivated (he's not opposed to money as a factor for motivation). And fourth, he believes that when businesses practice social responsibility-giving back to the community and business environment-employees will be more motivated.
A second company that inspires me was started by wine expert Gary Vaynerchuk. The son of Russian immigrants, Gary grew up working in his parents' liquor store. While working at the cash register, he started reading about wine and soon taste-tested all the wines that he personally purchased for the store. Now he has become a well-know wine expert , author, and host of the popular program called Wine Library TV.
Gary followed his passions and has made his business very profitable. But he's done more than that. He has been giving back to the community and the business world. Gary has worked hard to educate people about wine so that it can be thoroughly understood and enjoyed by all people, not just a "snobby" elite. He's another model of how a business can make things better for everyone around them, rather than just thinking about how to dominate and crush the competition.
This approach to work and business is highly motivating! When we realize that success isn't just about earning more money, but also about giving back to the community, we discover a another powerfully motivating reason to work and create. So remember what Vishen and Gary are doing and figure out what you can do to bring life to your "ecosystem." And Rock on!
