Exploring the mechanism of motivational preference affecting the performance of civil servants is of great significance to improve the incentive system of civil servants’ performance.From the perspective of self-determination theory and job demand-resource model,the matched sample was used to collect research data from 341 subordinates and 58 direct leaders,and the structural data and regression analysis were performed on the obtained matching data.The results show that the incentive preferences of service personnel have a significant positive impact on their job performance,in which the influence of intrinsic motivational preference is higher than the extrinsic motivational preference.Job satisfaction plays a mediating role between intrinsic motivational preferences and extrinsic motivational preference and job performance.Civil servants’ perceptions of red tape negatively moderate the relationship between intrinsic motivational preferences,extrinsic motivational preference and job satisfaction and motivational preferences and job performance.Based on the conclusions of the study,this study proposes some countermeasures and suggestions to improve civil servants’ performance.