What <em>Really</em> Motivates People?

So are people really motivated by money? If so, why did Goldman Sach's chief Hank Paulson, who made more than $38 million for himself last year, leave his high-profile firm to become Treasury Secretary of the United States? We'll tell you--but first, a glimpse of Goldman: it's the Harvard of Wall Street, it's the most highly-regarded investment bank, it moves billions of money worldwide, it's the top firm MBA students want on their business cards, it affects just about every public firm on the face of this planet. Goldman made Paulson one of the richest CEOs in the world. Goldman made Paulson the Peyton Manning on Wall Street. But, Goldman couldn't keep Paulson. You'd think not too many people would pass up such a sweet job, but Paulson did. And, we'd guess, many of you would too. Here's why: When you're confronted with doing something greater than you, greater than your company, greater than anything you've imagined, you take it. Humans aren't motivated by money. Humans are motivated by purpose -- a purpose beyond materialism, beyond benefits, beyond compensation--beyond any freakin' thing this world offers as a tangible good. Humans want to be a part of something greater than themselves. It doesn't matter if it's bettering the country, building dreams in the classroom, igniting the world to salsa, or electrifying an eclectic environment to serve food to every man, woman, and child--it doesn't matter how you do it. It doesn't matter. Humans want it. We crave it. Tap those motivations. Please. The world needs it.

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