What motivates you?

We had a healthy discussion at our last staff meeting regarding Motivation. Motivation can be intrinsic and extrinsic.

I put together an experiment that has been around for decades. After watching Dan Pinks piece on motivation I felt it was important to have this discussion with staff. In his TED Talk he references the Candle Problem.

Prior to the meeting I asked them to bring some ideas of what motivates them and they would be expected to share. During the meeting we attempted the candle problem and I tied this to motivation. One group would receive a reward and the other was given no reward. It was interesting that the group that solved the problem fastest was the reward group. Which was opposite what Dan Pink stated in the video, his point was that rewards do not motivate people. One could draw a conclusion that my staff is extrinsically motivated. This activity generated great discussion and was something different.

In then end we had a great discussion as a staff of what motivated staff, and it was a great way to share and bring staff together.

Please share what motivates you?