Or to rephrase: The surprising truth about what doesn’t motivate us, and the not so surprising truth about what does.
Where any kind of rudimentary cognitive skill is required, higher reward actually decreases performance. What actually drives us (when people are paid just enough to take money off the table as an issue) is:
Autonomy / the desire to be self directed (drives engagement)
Mastery / the urge to get better at stuff (challenge and mastery, and wanting to make a contribution)
Purpose / companies that are flourishing are animated by purpose. People are purpose maximizers.
The big take away: If we start treating people like people, and get past the ideology of carrots and sticks and actually look at the science – we can build organizations and work lives that make us better off while making the world a little bit better too.
Imagine my delight upon receiving news of Lotta Jansdotter’s upcoming new “Lotta Mailers” to be released 01 March, 2010. I adore her Scandinavian style screen prints, ceramics and stationary – each incorporating simple patterns and natural themes. I admire the way she makes simple look effortless (designers, you know what I mean here) and the bold way she applies her design to everyday things.
Visit her studio in Brooklyn, New York or check out her website here: http://jansdotter.com
Creative Grab Bag is a collection of work from artists, illustrators and designers from around the world. Author Ethan Bodnar created over 30 unique tasks and gave each contributor a task that was different from their typical work. The book contains images of each artist’s creative task, typical work, and a biography with a short reflection on their creative process. Together, they capture the spirit of exploration and innovation and challenge readers to break out of their usual work.
The book includes both well-known and up-and-coming creatives. And yes – it’s been added to my Amazon wish list. Bought it and love it!
Creative user experience over at “I Make My Case” -’ the richest online case customizer on the planet’. Design your own iPhone case by remixing the designs of internationally renowned graphic artists or design one from scratch. Paint, colorize, mirror or kaleidoscope for a case that’s truly one of a kind. Brilliant.
I loved Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk on creativity at TED2009 for being simultaneously whimsical, honest and humble.
In case you’re not an Amazon junkie like me and bombarded with their marketing material on a more or less daily basis, she’s the author of “Eat Pray Love” which has, in her own words, been a huge, freakish success. “Elizabeth weaves an insightful story of artists, success and pressure. She asks if she’s doomed. What if she never replicates the success of her past book? Is it rational or logical to be afraid of the work that we were put on this earth to do?
Elizabeth poses an interesting question — should we be romanticizing tortured geniuses, or helping them? (Erik Hersman blogging live from TED2009).
