Understand what drives top performers

 It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it. 

–Vince Lombardi

Finding out what motivates your top employees on an individual level is critical. The easiest way to figure out what motivates these employees is to simply ask them directly. Set up frank conversations to find out what they would like to be doing, and what drives them to do their best.

Ask them questions such as:

• What kinds of work are you most passionate about?
• What types of opportunities for learning do you find most exciting?
• What types of rewards most motivate you? Are you most energized by money, autonomy, affiliation, title, time off, or intellectual challenge?

Sometimes these questions are difficult to ask directly. Instead, you may have to deduce the answers by asking less direct questions, such as: What do you like, or not like, about your job? Alternatively, you may simply pay attention to the employees' behavior, taking note of the tasks they seem to enjoy, and what seems to motivate them the most.

Also, be sure to find out if anything about their job situation is frustrating them, such as too much travel, difficult colleagues, or not enough challenge from day to day. Try to address their needs and desires—and eliminate obstacles as best you can. Help them to develop by shaping their careers and responsibilities in the direction they'd like to go. To move them in the right direction, you'll have to provide them with the right growth opportunities.