Understanding why people decide to take action offers deep leadership insights. Our Reason filter, also known as the Possibility or Necessity metaprogram,is one of the ways we decide to act.
If you ask someone why they bought that car, you’ll get a variety of answers. Some folks bought the car they did because it was something they had to do when their old car died. Others bought that new car because they saw one like it and decided they wanted one too.
That’s the difference between a person motivated by Necessity or versus Possibility.
- Folks motivated by necessity do things because it’s what they have to do.They don’t create big future visions – they take life as it comes and deal with things as they come along. When they need something new, they find out what’s available, accept what’s there and move along. Folks who act on necessity tend to stick with what they have as long as it’s working. They’ll stay in the same job, home, relationship or car until it’s necessary for them to change. They like what’s safe, known and comfortable. If you want to motivate this person – show them why something is necessary and important.
- Folks motivated by possibility do things because they want to do them. These folks see the endless possibilities and the opportunity for development of new things as part of evolution. Possibility folks are constantly seeking new things, new experiences and new ways of being. They tend to be restless, constantly seeking the new and different stimulus and are risk takers. If you want to motivate this person – show them the limitless options and potential.
We don’t always filter in one way or another. Many of us filter in both ways, depending on the specific situation.
The Right Role for the Right Program
Understanding how folks are motivated between possibility and necessity gives leaders insights into matching individuals to job requirements. For example:
- Necessity folks often form the backbone of any organization’s culture. They come on board and remain for years and even decades. If you’re filling a job that needs longevity – pick the necessity candidate. If you need to know exactly what needs to be done and that it is done – pick necessity. When you have tasks that simply need to be done, necessity is your choice.
- Possibility folks are the visionaries, the folks who start that new division on a shoestring, who step into an unknown opportunity and thrive on the risk. If you need a cheerleader to show the rest of your organization the excitement in that new product, or to engage your buyers with the opportunities from that new product – the possibility candidate is your best choice.
Leading in Your Life
You can use the same possibility and necessity approaches with your kids, partners, friends and groups.
- Let’s say you want your child to study and make the honor role. If your child has a necessity filter, explain to them why an education and good grades is necessary for getting into college, for getting a good job, for making the money they’ll need to live comfortably.
- Or let’s say your partner is a possibility person. If you want them to try a new sport or pastime, show them all the cool opportunities and options available to them if they do just that. Fill their dreams with visions of fun and frolic, new friends and experiences.
Using the necessity and possibility filters can and will motivate different people to the same result. The only difference is that you’ll be appealing to individuals using the specific reasoning that motivates them into action.
6 Comments
Mark Edward Brown
June 13, 2013 - 5:16 amHi Rebel,
I enjoyed how you related the many “reasons why” to “filters” great way to give a new perspective to a sticking point that many leaders encounter.
~Coach Mark Edward Brown
rebel brown
June 13, 2013 - 5:40 pmThx much Mark!!! I am loving writing this series because it shifts my own mind into new thinking! I have an ego of leadership and the mind coming in september that is equally fun!!!
Thx for stopping by and sharing!
Reb
Amber-Lee Dibble
June 13, 2013 - 2:06 pmRebel!
Ha! I always have an “Ahh!” moment when I come over here.
I would think that I am 80% Possibility and 20% Necessity. The Possibilites, of simply being ALIVE, is all the excitement I can stand at some points. The Possibilities of what today may bring.. well, that is what has me gulping a cup of cold coffee down so I can boot the computer up in the morning and get back to work or ride out again to look for another infernal mountain to climb.
The Necessity is part of living the right path. There are steps we all have to take, that are counted on. By ourselves, by others. To me, without some Necessity, mixed in with Possibility, we cannot be proper and right Leaders.
Thank you for this.
rebel brown
June 14, 2013 - 10:25 amYou just made my day Amber-Lee! I have so many “Ahh” moments with this learning and knowledge! Glad to know I can share them with you!
I doubt if any of us are programmed to one extreme or the other on the continuum of Possibility vs Necessity. I explain the extremes so that people can get a feel for the program/filter.
The other thing to rememeber is that we all have OODLES (thats a technical term:)) of programs all acting at the same time. So we aren’t responding to a single metaprogram, filter or personal program – we’re responding toi ALL of them in combination. Talk about a complex model – that’s we humans!
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your perspectives!
reb
Johann Gauthier
June 13, 2013 - 4:24 pmGreat post Rebel !
I believe your views reinforce Gallup’s recent research on employee engagement. Often we have leaders that are not inspiring and engaging as much as they should. They don’t play up to people’s possibilities as you say.
Business success is a 2-way conversation. Inspire and engage, driven business results and care, and see what happens… magic !
Thanks for your perspective and for being there !
Johann
rebel brown
June 14, 2013 - 10:20 amThanks so much for stopping by and sharing Johann. I didnt see the Gallup research – would you mind sharing it here so I can add that knowledge to my self:)
Appreciate your insights and wisdom my friend.
reb