Boring executive cars are bad for employee motivation…

October 18th, 2006

MaseratiA few days ago I was driving along in my car when I noticed a Renault in my rearview mirror. It passed me by and I looked inside. The car was driven by a chauffeur and a CEO type was sitting in the back reading papers.

A few months ago a CEO I know showed me his new car. This man makes close to a million a year and he can afford pretty much any car money can buy.

His new car was blue. And that is all I can remember about that car. It wasn’t a Jaguar, Daimler, Bentley or Rolls but a simple but expensive Renault, Audi or Citroën.

I asked that guy why he didn’t drove a flashy car? A red Porsche or a black Maserati or something cool and with character to which he replied that as a dutch CEO you can’t drive a hot car like that. You have to act ‘normal’ and try not to make anybody jealous in your organisation.

As I noticed the nondescript Renault pas me by I suddenly realized that these CEOs got it all wrong. I think it would be a huge motivator if your boss would show up in the most beautiful car that money could buy. I think you wouldn’t be jealous or annoyed but you would think:

“I have to work harder so I can become the boss one day and buy a car like that too”
I can image that if you drive a Renault as a junior manager and you see the BIG BOSS driving by in a Renault (even an expensive one with chauffeur) you just think:

“Why should I work my ass off to be like him? He drives a Renault, just like me. I don’t see the upside”

So lets try this for a while. If you are a CEO please buy a red Ferrari, a silver Maserati or a turbo charged Porsche and see if people get more motivated in your organization.


One Response to “Boring executive cars are bad for employee motivation…”

  1. Marc Fonteijn on January 30, 2007 11:29 am (11:29)

    Well someone listened at least (partially … it’s not red) !

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/m.....372078450/

    And according to the RDW data it’s brand new :)

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