Imagine you have a manager with control needs. She micromanages people and projects –– whether they need it or not. Her micromanagement is undermining your sense of autonomy –– she is controlling your work and not allowing you to think for yourself. You are afraid to go over her head to complain because you’ve seen what happens to complainers
This is how the ARC Domino Effect begins. Your lack of autonomy raises questions in your mind about your competence. Your inability to manage your manager’s over-involvement or the organizational politics involved further erodes your competence. Your manager’s ineffective leadership, lack of sensitivity to your needs and apparent self-interest prevent any sense of relatedness. Intangible external forces (her
People revel in the positive energy, vitality and sense of well-being that occur when all three psychological needs are satisfied. But –– and this is a big but –– one depends on the other. The ARC Domino Effect is in full force when even one psychological need is missing. If A or R or C falls, the others are diminished as well.
The real story of motivation is that people have psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence. It is a mistake to think that people are not motivated. They are simply longing for needs they cannot name.
People are learners who long to grow, enjoy their work, be productive, make positive contributions andbuild lasting relationships. This is not because of motivational forces outside themselves but because it is their human nature.