The illustration below shows the difference between the words :”STIMULUS” and “MOTIVATION” it is a metaphoric explanation of how corporate success has shifted from the 90s to today. On the left, the shepherd’s stick — the original “stimulus” — represents the external prodding, rigid structures, and top-down pressure that once drove career progress. In that era, advancement often depended on being steered by authority and staying within prescribed paths. On the right, the star-shaped magnet in the night sky symbolizes “motivation” — an internal pull toward a clear vision or goal. Today’s corporate world rewards those who are self-directed, guided by purpose, and drawn forward by opportunities they actively seek, rather than by the pokes and pushes of hierarchy. Together, the two images show the transformation from compliance-driven progress to aspiration-driven achievement.