Episode description

If you want to motivate people, you need to understand the nature of rewards in the workplace. Otherwise, you might be really missing the mark. You might actually be demotivating your employees. In this episode, we unpack the basics of rewarding employees, including the following:   

• Extrinsic versus intrinsic rewards
• Fundamental ideas about employee motivation
• Implications for people, leaders, and organizations

Links and Other Information

• Related episodes: Cort Rudolph on Generational Differences (link), Designing Work that Doesn’t Stink (link), Make it RAIN! Money as a Motivator (link) 
• Ben’s terrible YouTube videos:
  • Equity Theory, 
  • Expectancy Theory,
  • Goal-Setting Theory,
  • Social Exchange and Organizational Support Theory 
• Accepting an award: Tips from Toastmasters (click here) 
• The Four Intrinsic Rewards that Drive Employee Engagement: Article by Kenneth Thomas (click here) 
• Lincoln Electric’s pay system: Article in the NY Times
• Russ Robert's essay, "The Story of My Life," in which he introduces the idea of thinking of yourself as part of an ensemble instead of as the main character: click here