Appreciation comes in different forms. It can be praise, an incentive plan, grades, recognition, the kind of car you are allowed to lease, having a separate office with one or two windows, your paycheck,…
Does this mean that we all have to praise our reports more or give them bigger cars?
Perhaps not. If you want people that create create value beyond what they were hired to do, then you’d better not only give praise. What you should do is also promote people’s intrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation refers to motivation that comes from inside an individual rather than from any external or outside reward, such as money or grades.
If you do something that you find meaningful, rewarding, interesting and challenging, you are more likely to come up with novel ideas and creative solutions.
As a company you can promote extrinsic motivation or intrinsic motivation.
If you’re into extrinsic motivation you should only worry about creating workplaces that are fun and offer an abundance of praise and recognition. But remember people who depend on extrinsic motivation need constant praise and incentives just to do their job.
Smart employers though want people who go the extra mile. They know that employee engagement increases when staff is not only kept happy, but more important, has a mission.
Why? Because when you have a mission you are pursuing goals that have personal meaning. You are working for something bigger, something that is meaningful. There is no stronger motivator than a cause you really believe in. That is what we call intrinsic motivation: the drive to do things because they matter.
Ask your employees:
- – What are you contributing to?
- – What goals are you pursuing?
- – What is the personal meaning that you find in your work?
- – How does what you do help realizing the purpose of our
- company?
If you want employees who are able to exceed expectations, you’ll have to look for people that are self motivating. The ones that rely on their own intrinsic motivation and are as a consequence not addicted to constant extrinsic motivation.
In my next blog I’ll explain how to create a culture that promotes intrinsic motivation. What does it take to attract self motivating people?
Can’t wait to find out? Take a look at this: |
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