Testimonials Archive | Motivation Code

“There was a skeptic in a leadership position who was always questioning initiatives, especially how MCode was being used. Late one Friday, it finally led to a mini-blowup, and we departed simply agreeing to disagree.

My MCode coach prompted me to view the friction through an understanding of his Motivations. He took the MCode assessment that weekend, and on Monday, apologized and said, ‘MCode absolutely nailed my motivations.’

We then sat down and worked through new expectations on how to speak each other’s language. He’s an Optimizer, and with that clarity, I could see his questions as contributions, not barriers and pushback. Thanks to MCode, we went from friction to understanding.”

Amy Thimm, RN, MSHSM

Friend Community Healthcare System

“I’ve always been a big fan of assessments. I’m certified in several assessments I’ve used with my congregation and people on my staff.

I very much resonate with the fact that I am Comprehend And Express and Demonstrate Learning. It really does explain why I am a teacher, and why almost every aspect of what I do — whether I’m teaching at seminary or in church, or trying to teach people on my staff how to do their roles well — has helped me live into who I am.

What I love about MCode is that it also lets me help the people I work with live into who they are. We have become a much better team, as we’ve understood each other more and more and more. I’ll also say, I love that congregants can use MCode to figure out who they are, and then they get the joy of being able to simply be what God has made them to be. Love MCode. Love getting to use it.”

Bill Fullilove

Executive Pastor and Coach

Alex Staup

Executive Director of Student Success at Bryan College

MCode literally changed my life. From the moment I received my MCode report I knew I was in the wrong job role. Just a few months later, I used my MCode results and the insights from my Impact Session to find a new role in a line of work I had never considered.

I found my dream job at the upper levels of an incredible company. Now my days are filled with activities that closely match what I love to do. I tell everyone I meet about MCode. If only they would listen.

Jay Harper

Business Consultant

Justin Tilghman

Founder, Balanced Coaching And Consulting

“I’ve done StrengthsFinder before, but MCode got a layer deeper than personality. It’s more about what fills your engine — what gets you revving to go. That shift in framework was huge.

The breakthrough was when I mapped our entire team’s motivations and created balanced teams pairing our heavy thinkers with our heavy doers. Before, we’d get stuck in analysis paralysis or rush through without a proper strategy. Now we analyze incoming projects for motivational fit and assign them to the right teams.

For remote teams, especially, MCode humanizes everything. It gives you that pause before acting on something. When tension comes up, now it’s, ‘I need to frame it this way to hit your motivations better.’ The more you know your teammates, the better off you’re going to be. We’re now using motivations to frame how we interact with each other, assign work, and even structure our entire company. It’s been transformational.”

Chris Teitzel

CEO and Founder, Cellar Door Media and Lockr

“MCode transformed how we deploy our existing field workers in business-as-mission roles by revealing whether they’re energized by direct entrepreneurship, community development, strategic partnerships, or operational excellence — enabling us to build BAM teams with the right motivational DNA to achieve true profitability, sustainability, and church-planting impact instead of burning out gifted people in misaligned roles.”

Brent McHugh

Director, Christar International Network

“I work in the post-secondary environment in Canada, and I have become an MCode fan. It has helped me really look deep within myself to think about what intrinsically motivates me and how I show up and do well. This has really helped with imposter syndrome, because now I know I can do the things that I think I can do, and I can do them because I’m motivated to do them.

It’s also helped with identifying other people’s Dimensions that might be opposite to mine. Learning how to communicate with them more effectively has built up relationships. I’ve seen this show up in my relationship with my current manager, where I have noticed a difference since I now understand what’s motivating her and where she comes from. This influences how I come across when I’m communicating, and has really elevated our working relationship and our execution of the tasks that we need to execute together.

The MCode assessment and Impact Sessions are truly a way to discover yourself, look within in a deeper way, and articulate yourself and the things that you are about in a really concrete way that helps you.”

Tomi Ogeye

Specialist, New Student Programs, University of Calgary

“We’ve been on a journey with Motivation Code for about three years now, and it’s been an unbelievable tool for us to build our culture of connectivity and curiosity.

Humans are relational creatures, but relationships can be challenging. We have used the Motivation Code framework to help people experience the interconnected cosmos in which we live. It’s been an amazing tool that we leverage through development, training, and our culture sessions to help people practice telling their story.

I have experienced that we have a desperate need to tell our story, but often don’t have the tools or the way to show all of the experiences we’ve been through in a coherent manner.

And Motivation Code has helped us make sense of our stories and build a common identity through the shared use of the Motivation Code Dimensions as we all explore: Who did God create us to be and who has he created us to become? I hope you enjoy Motivation Code.”

William R. Crossan III, Certified MCode Coach

Will Crossan

President & Chief Visionary Officer, Financial Growth Partners

“Our Vistage CEO Peer Group was challenged to rethink how we motivate our teams — starting with understanding what truly drives each individual. We saw how small shifts in messaging can have an outsized impact when we align communication with each team member’s unique motivational type.

Our group also completed the MCode assessment, gaining deeper insight into our own motivational profiles and how they influence the way we lead, inspire, and make decisions. It was an engaging and practical session that left every CEO in the room seeing team performance through a new, sharper lens. Thank you for sparking a new conversation around leadership and motivation.”

Michael Tetreau

Executive Coach and Vistage Chair

Devin Moran

Founder, The Joy Praxis

“I’ve taken many personality tests, whether that’s been Myers-Briggs, where you have these four groups of letters I could never remember, or leadership Voices, or Belbin Team Roles. They all seemed so fixed, and it wasn’t really easy to apply the learnings.

When taking MCode, I knew from day one, based on the four achievement stories I shared, how to use the insights for myself, and it’s always good to get to know yourself better. I even asked my hubby to take the MCode assessment.

I now know how to help my clients better by understanding what drives my own motivations and what their motivational forces are. It’s also helpful for pitching to clients and for working with my own team. There are so many practical implications — even some stories in my past suddenly made more sense.

If you are sitting on the fence, thinking not another personality test, let me reassure you that this one is different. It’s a real joy to go through the process, but also the insights you get have huge potential to be so impactful. It’s not about color of your hair or whether you like tea or coffee. It’s actually about real things that help you in your day-to-day life, whether that’s at work or with your relationships, key stakeholders, any of it. I highly recommend you give it a go.”

Nicole Osborne

LinkedIn And Marketing Coach, Founder Wunderstars

“I have been a huge fan of assessments. The first time I heard about MBTI was my freshman year at college, and I was very extreme on a scale of 1-10, almost always at a 1 or a 10. So, I felt like assessments helped me with myself first. Then I learned about the Keirsey Sorter (I read that book cover to cover), before coming across a Birkman consultant, whom I integrated into my last company. Everybody got a Birkman assessment, but we had best day/worst day. It was behavior and interesting.

Then, I come across MCode, and everyone I share this with, in my business and coaching, says this is not very accurate — it’s scary accurate. This explains why I had to leave that big company because they spent $12 million and they didn’t use anything I said, and these people have told me I don’t fit here, or I don’t feel like it’s getting me outta bed. Phenomenal.

The best thing about MCode is the way it gives everyone the efficiency of language to get themselves aligned so that they can then say to others, and see in others, exactly what their motivations are.”

Derek Moore

Founder, DNT Solutions

“Recertifying as an MCode coach was a rewarding experience. The online training materials were clear and easy to use, with many tips to improve my coaching. The quizzes were especially helpful; they reinforced my understanding and increased my confidence in the material.

One of the most important parts of the training was learning to use the Dimensions in MCode results. This deeper understanding has already improved my ability to tailor my coaching to each person’s unique motivations. Also, having Shawn review my sessions gave me useful feedback, highlighting areas for improvement and showing me areas where my coaching was already strong.

After using MCode for nearly a decade, I have seen how this tool helps people discover their motivations and grow personally. I look forward to continuing to use MCode to make a positive impact in my coaching. Overall, this experience was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their coaching skills and inspire growth in others.”

Kevin Holmes

Life Coach and Culture Building Expert

“We pair MCode assessment results with ‘Still Fire’ sessions, dedicated conversations focused on helping people understand their unique wiring and potential. We know it’s a radically different approach, especially in our industry, but it’s paid off.

From 2022 to 2023, recruiting grew 138% and EMO retention doubled. Performance has also skyrocketed. From 2023 to 2024, first-year commissions doubled, and we saw 15-30% increases across nearly every category they track.

We’re proud that both emerging advisors and new hires consistently describe our organization as ‘unlike anywhere else in the industry’ because they feel seen and understood from day one, our youngest advisors are seeing faster starts and more sustainable growth, and we’ve created a culture that makes people want to stay.

It’s proof that investing in people, leaning into their motivations, and creating space for genuine connection leads to higher performance, longer retention, and improved business outcomes.”

Kelly Pauline

Managing Director, Financial Growth Partners

“As a brand strategist, I wear the coaching hat for a major part of my engagements with clients. A lot of the insight I uncover happens through conversations and intentional questions with the leaders of the organization. The problem I kept running into was a lack of understanding and language in the leader’s mind around what truly motivated him and why certain initiatives and processes were important to him. Through the powerful tool MCode, I am able to accelerate the process of uncovering the insights we need to align initiatives with what matters most to my clients. If you’re a coach looking to ask more powerful questions and lead your clients toward an aligned, energy-giving life, not just a financially successful one, MCode is your secret weapon.”

David Tofilon

Brand Strategist, Veritye Branding and Tofilon Consulting

“I have used many tools in my leadership coaching over the past 25 years. There is nothing more effective and impactful than MCode! I work extensively within the healthcare system administering MCode in leadership training, mentoring programs, and teams. Leaders who utilize MCode insights share with me key outcomes such as increased engagement, retention, and satisfaction among their team members. One of my own motivations is to Make An Impact and MCode helps me do just that, giving me more joy and fulfillment as a coach.”

April Stensgard

Leadership and Motivational Coach, MentorLead

You know those dime-a-dozen personality assessments like Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, etc? Let me tell you, Motivation Code is different. Don’t get me wrong… Some of these assessments are great (Working Genius has been a personal favorite), but they all suffer the same fundamental problem. You have to force yourself into their pre-defined molds to get their predefined outputs, and those molds are, at best, hyperbolic at times.

What if instead of a standardized test, you explored the stories of your greatest triumphs and the assessment focuses on why you remember those as your greatest achievements?

That’s how MCode is different. You tell it YOUR stories and it dives into YOUR experience to help you understand what powered you through those personal wins. It provides structure and actionable intel on your core Motivations to help you understand how to think about your work and career to create more victories in the future.

My results were insightful and highlighted why and when I feel friction, and how or what energizes me in my environment. If you’ve felt stuck or frustrated and aren’t quite sure why, this might be the perfect tool to give you the insight you need to take your next steps.

Zachary Skaggs

Healthcare Product Manager

“The learnings MCode provided about my team were incredible. It has helped our new operations director feel more connected to the team, informed, and motivated. It has also helped my business partner and I see from a high level, how our team can work together more effectively and how we as leaders, can show up for our team in a way that makes them feel amazing, appreciated, and ready to do their best work.”

Georgiana Laudi

Co-Founder and CEO, Forget The Funnel

“I’ve taken all kinds of personality tests and nothing has been as accurate, helpful, or actionable as MCode. Every word I read made me go, ‘Yes, this is it EXACTLY!’ It articulates what motivates me in ways I’d never considered before.

As an Orchestrator, I now know exactly what kind of projects I want to work on, what kind of people I work well with, and what kind of projects and people I need to avoid. I’m also a lot kinder to myself when I find myself dragging my feet on something — I know I’m doing it because it doesn’t motivate me, not because I’m not good at what I do, lazy, or irresponsible.

Fun fact: I go through my MCode results every couple of months to remind myself of my strengths and what motivates me most. You will too.”

Samar Owais

Email Conversion Strategist for SaaS and eCommerce Brands

“My MCode results were absolutely amazing! It was like you saw right into my soul. What motivates me was spot on and I even learned new motivations. I realized why things I am doing or have done worked out the way they did.

This will certainly help me build my design agency and recognize the areas that will make me more productive, along with those I need to let go of and/or have someone else take over.”

Michelle Trippi

Owner, Empty Dog Creative

“I’ve done other assessments and the results have always been sort of accurate and kind of relevant. So, I was skeptical about MCode but also intrigued that I didn’t have to choose the best worst answers for a series of general multiple choice questions. Choosing which stories to share was harder than I anticipated but I’m sold — the results in my MCode report are the most accurate and relevant I’ve experienced.

I wasn’t surprised to discover that I’m first a Learner and second an Orchestrator, but seeing it put into words highlighted what was missing in my job. That clarity and the language to express my value helped in conversations about my next career move and with securing a new role that better aligns with my motivations and natural strengths. It’s also helped me think about how I work with members of my team to better collaborate and nurture high performance.”

Brian Bourn

Executive Account Director, 10up

“MCode is different. It’s not your standard personality test. It didn’t try to tell me who I am, but rather what motivates me most to do my best work. It said that I’m an Orchestrator — I like to look at the bigger picture and bring seemingly disconnected things together to accomplish something more. And it nailed it more than I even realized at first.

The six months since discovering my motivation have been absolutely transformational. I went from skeptic, to seeing it everywhere and realizing the value, to planning my life and my work around it.”

Aaron Campbell

Director of Product, A2 Hosting

“I thoroughly enjoyed diving into my MCode experience — it provided a unique perspective on my strengths. What appealed to me most was the departure from the typical questionnaire format. Instead, it encouraged introspection and effort, resulting in a personally crafted outcome.

The revelation of being classified as a Driver caught me by surprise, as there are moments when I don’t perceive myself as one. Nevertheless, the insights gained have proven immensely beneficial, influencing both my personal and professional life positively.”

Erika Moore

President, BonLife Coffee Roasters

“Finding out my MCode helped me create better study strategies and overcome some serious procrastination for coursework I don’t love. It also explained why, even though I love my job, I had a hard time completing certain tasks. When I realized it was because I wasn’t satisfying my Achiever motivations and needs, I changed my workflow and approach and have already seen a difference.

“MCode also taught me how to communicate the value I contribute, which helped me stand out and differentiate myself in interviews! Sharing insights from my MCode report helped me move beyond the stereotypical answers, which impressed interviewers who were surprised at my level of self-awareness. The result? I not only got the summer internship I wanted but also landed my dream post-grad job — and I haven’t even started my senior year yet!”

Natalie Bourn

Finance Student at CSU, Chico, and Program Manager of Seufferlein Sales Program

“One benefit of the MCode assessment are the insights I now have about being a Driver. As a Driver, I want to fully complete tasks as soon as possible. Give me a job and I’ll get it done. However, sometimes it’s not about getting it done. Certain jobs require patience and reflection.

Learning that Driver is my default tendency helps me be more compassionate with myself when tasks require more care. It has also helped when leading my agency and helping our clients, as everyone has different motivations and needs. Instead of subconsciously expecting everyone to follow my Driver value set, I can recognize that desire in me, put it in its place, and meet others according to what they need.”

Jeff Large

Owner, Come Alive Creative

“I’ve done a lot of assessments, so I thought I knew what to expect when I took the MCode assessment. I was wrong. It gave me insights no other personality or gift assessments have given me. In addition, filling out the assessment questionnaire helped me connect dots on my gifting and talent that I had never noticed before. I’m a huge fan.”

Carey Nieuwhof

Author, Speaker, Podcaster

Joe Casabona

Podcast and Automation Coach

“If I have a primary personality type, it is ‘skeptical about personality tests.’ However, right from the beginning I could tell that MCode was different. Instead of multiple choice questions, it asks for stories from your life. I wasn’t very satisfied with the stories I had to tell, but I was very pleasantly surprised by my results.

Reading my MCode report was extremely validating and insightful. I learned that I am a Driver. I learned that I thrive when I have ownership of a project with a specific goal that I can push to the finish line. Did I know some of these things? Sure. But sometimes you need the validation that it’s okay that you work the way you work and are motivated the way you’re motivated. In a world full of thought leaders telling you to be like them, MCode empowers you to be the best version of yourself.”

Clif Griffin

Founder, CheckoutWC

“Right before I had my entire team undergo the MCode assessment, I felt challenged in leading them effectively. Discovering that I am a Visionary didn’t come as a surprise. What did surprise me was realizing that I had modeled my leadership after the styles of a Driver or Orchestrator — my two least dominant dimensions and those which predominantly characterize my team.

From that day forward, I stepped back from all production work and began focusing on what I do best: recognizing the untapped potential before us and shaping our future. I am now more excited and energized, and my team has a clear direction to drive toward.”

James Laws

Co-Founder and CEO of Saturday Drive

“I love that MCode helps me see positive and challenging dynamics in working with people whose top motivations are different than my own. My husband and I are both extremely driven individuals and work together in our small business, and we’ve had some challenges finding flow in how we best work together. MCode has helped us get clarity on our core motivations and how to better understand each other when we are working on projects together. Game changer!

As an Orchestrator, I love to take charge and lead, and I want to do that well. I now understand how essential it is for everyone on the team to have their core motivations met, too. This assessment will help us grow our most valuable investment in our business — our people. Thank you MCode!”

Joy Bowen

Fitness and Team Leadership Coach

“Taking the MCode assessment and discovering that I’m a Learner has transformed my understanding of my work. It explained why I’m not only driven to continually learn new things, but have also always been driven to simplify complex subjects and teach them to others in a way that positively impacts their lives. This insight has been incredibly empowering and has led me to align my career with my passion for teaching and making meaningful differences in the lives of others.”

Shawn Hesketh

VP, Learning Strategy and Design

“Discovering I have a knack for optimization has been life-changing! It’s like I’ve stumbled upon a hidden treasure chest filled with entrepreneurial superpowers and optimization magic.

Gone are the days of following outdated business practices and wasting valuable resources. I have become a master of innovation and streamlining. I boldly navigate through challenges, seeking ways to optimize processes, improving productivity, and maximizing outcomes for my clients. It’s like I have a secret compass that guides me toward the most efficient and effective solutions.”

Shelly Peacock

Owner, The Spinbird Group

“MCode was the first assessment that I found helpful even while I went through it (and after I learned I’m an Orchestrator). It helped me understand where my strengths are so that I can better direct energy to build and grow my business. It’s a great tool for founders as well as their teams!”

Brian Casel

Founder, ClarityFlow

“To say that I was a little confused about MCode is an understatement. Then, I reluctantly took the assessment and talk about having my mind blown. The resulting report was much more than I expected.

It turns out that I’m an Orchestrator, and even though I couldn’t see it right away, the more I looked at myself from a different perspective the more it made sense. I realize that I thrive in situations where I’m able to bring together the right group of people to tackle a challenge. Looking at every situation from an Orchestrator point of view has increased our productivity and made my team a more cohesive unit.”

Jorge A. Ahued

Stogies World Class Cigars

“Going through the MCode discovery process was incredible. Slowing down to learn more about what motivates me has been hugely helpful in every facet of my work and personal life. Discovering my Driver strength and putting a name to my motivation to get things done and move forward has been great. I’d encourage every team in any industry to get the benefits of this fantastic tool.”

Jeremy Moore

Managing Director, Not for Profit Institutional Banking

“Not only has learning that I’m a Driver helped me understand what motivates me, it has shed light on why past decisions were great successes or head-scratchers. Our business is a husband-and-wife web development team of two Drivers! Learning what motivates us has really helped us understand how we interact and informed our decisions about who we might want to add to our team next. Obviously, it will be based on their MCode!”

Carol Brouwer

Pixel Organizer, TEMPORA

“Have you ever known something about yourself to be truer than true but lacked the words to express it? MCode gave me the language to describe the way I operate in the world that I didn’t even know I was lacking.

I’ve always known I was bent toward a Visionary mindset and big-picture thinking, but MCode showed me how to tailor my environment to ensure I can thrive, while remaining aware of potential obstacles. It has been a game-changer. I’m happier than ever, and my team is more engaged and empowered as a result.”

Justin Sainton

Founder, Zao

“Discovering I’m a Learner definitely helped me see why web development has been such a great career path for me — there’s no shortage of new things to learn. But what was especially helpful for me to see was that it’s not just the learning I find motivating, I also find a lot of joy in sharing that knowledge. I hadn’t really connected those dots before. It’s kept me looking for opportunities to lean into that more.”

Kristin Falkner

Freelance Web Developer

“As someone who’s driven to keep things moving forward, I find it frustrating in the periods when progress is slower than I had imagined. So, as clarifying as it’s been to understand what motivates me, it’s been even more important to recognize what doesn’t motivate me. Being able to fill in the gaps of my motivations with the strengths of others, keeps our team on track and has felt like a weight off my shoulders.”

Sam Nieuwhof

Carey Nieuwhof Communications

“I recently had the opportunity to take the MCode assessment and it was a game-changer for me. I found out I’m a Driver in my work style and personality, and honestly, it explains so much! It’s helped me play to my strengths and get things done more effectively. If you’re curious about your own work style, give MCode a try.”

Jessica Malnik

Founder, Fractional Director of Marketing

“Finding out I am a Driver was very interesting. MCode told me who I was, why I was, and the reality of where I should be going. I was delighted to find that I am motivated to discover and harness unrealized potential, I want to exercise control and ownership (take responsibility) over what is mine (in Business terms), and that I can focus on driving through difficulties and disadvantages.

I refer to my MCode report every day, and this year, I have pressed the reset button to focus on what MCode has highlighted and concentrate on what drives me. I have no hesitation in recommending MCode to anyone struggling to find their why.”

Andrew Palmer

Founder, Bertha.ai

“Discovering my MCode was eye-opening. In the past, I’ve struggled to maintain motivation when projects become routine. The Achiever in me loves to create, accomplish, and move on. Now that I know and understand my MCode, I can proactively take steps to adjust my workflow and project management to ensure my motivation doesn’t dip when I need it the most.“

Carly Voinski

Director of Digital Media & Strategic Partnerships, Carey Nieuwhof Communications

“For most of my career, I knew that I had a strong urge to be what MCode calls a Driver. I pushed through obstacles and got the work done. I’d work late, figure out the quickest and best path, and knock out projects. What was missing was the understanding that came with knowing that I’m actually an Achiever, and Driver is my secondary MCode Dimension.

I don’t just want to be someone who gets things done. I want to be recognized for doing so and be central to the success and planning of a project or task. Those were huge missing pieces of understanding what creates fulfillment for me — and that led to being unfulfilled in jobs, projects, and even at home.

Having a greater understanding of what I need to feel fulfilled has helped me set expectations for myself, and led to greater trust and gratitude in relationships with managers, family, and friends. It helps me understand why I want to have reviews every week and I’ve completely changed what questions I ask my manager. I no longer feel bad about asking how I’m doing regularly at work ,or checking in with my spouse, manager, or friends. I now understand that is me being an Achiever.”

Matt Pritchett

Managing Partner, SendWP

“Discovering why you do what you do and what motivates you is real actionable life hacking. The MCode assessment helped me realize that I am a Learner. It seems obvious now but was never something I had defined for myself.

With specialized knowledge of what motivates me, I have prioritized reading and sharing knowledge with my team as a recurring habit. This small shift has made me a better leader and given me a clear path toward continuous improvement, adaptability, and innovation, not only in my business but also in my personal life. MCode has been like a key to a more fulfilling future, one where I do the stuff I like to do (what motivates me) and apply that motivation to the work of the day.”

Paul Cook

Director of Manager, Oxy Digital

“I was like most people who have just graduated and are choosing between job opportunities in their fields. Thankfully, I had just taken the MCode assessment and discovered I am a Relator. It really gave me a new lens I could use to help me understand where I would feel most ‘at home.’ Knowing my MCode means I know myself better, and that helped me pick the job that would be the most fulfilling — not just for my career but for me.”

Shaylee Hanson

Nurse Practitioner

Take the Motivation Code assessment