The Surprising Science of Motivation: The Carrot, Stick or Something Different?

Want to know the best strategy to motivate employees toward higher performance? What do you think is more effective: a sweeter carrot or a sharper stick?

This talk by Dan Pink may surprise you.

Here’s another thought-provoking perspective: Think motivation and inspiration are the same thing? Think again – check out this quick video by Leadership guru Lance Secretan

As Dan Pink and Lance Secretan suggest, there appears to be a mismatch between what science and the wisdom traditions know, and what business does.

So, if your staff are feeling a little tired and disillusioned at work, or feeling a need to experience work differently, perhaps what they are craving is to be inspired rather than motivated.

The solution according to Secretan, inspire through the C.A.S.T.L.E principles (see my next post), and according to Pink, recognize and incorporate three key elements into your leadership approach:

1. Autonomy: the urge people have to direct their own lives.

2. Mastery: the desire people have to get better and better at something that matters.

3. Purpose: the yearning people have to do what they do in the service of something larger than themselves.

Leadership and business approaches are rapidly evolving towards a new model that embraces higher purpose and deeper meaning – are you willing to adapt? The success of your business or workplace may depend on it.

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