The Surprising Science of Motivation
Daniel H. Pink, author, free agent and former chief speech-writer to Vice President Al Gore speaks on how there is a mismatch between what science knows about how to motivate people and what business actually does. Pink argues that the good “if you do this, then you get that” reward and punishment approach, doesn’t work any more to motivate people in the 21st century, since the prospect of a reward focuses and restricts our possibilities. This is great when there is a clear goal and outcome, as in routine based work. However, the world of business has changed, we need to be flexible and creative and adapt to new developments and ideas day by day; you won’t get very far by sticking to a routine any more, since routine kills creativity and the 21st century is all about being creative. So if you expect high performance, the solution is to get away from the outdated approach of enticing people with a sweeter carrot or threatening them with a sharper stick. The new way to boost creativity and motivation in employees is straightforward and easy. It revolves around intrinsic instead of extrinsic motivators: autonomy – the urge to direct our own lives, mastery – the desire to get better and better at something that matters, and purpose – the yearning to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves. According to Pink, those are the building blocks of a new operating system of the 21st century that will guarantee for high performance.
“[...] Mom and Dad were wrong. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind. The era of “left brain” dominance, and the Information Age that it engendered, are giving way to a new world in which “right brain” qualities-inventiveness, empathy, meaning-predominate.”
Daniel H. Pink offers a fresh look at what it takes to excel. Watch this video, it will open your eyes to a new way of pushing yourself or your employees to your or their limits. Follow Pink’s three intrinsic motivators – autonomy, mastery and purpose, and you will see your and your employees’ motivation to achieve high performance in the workplace reach a new high!
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