If you only read one book on motivation, you might be missing half the story.

In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin dig into the messy, controversial, and often misunderstood science of motivation. They explore intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, how reward systems are easy to mess up, and why popular advice often oversimplifies what actually drives people at work.

From sales targets to healthcare metrics, Cindi and Geoff explore where well-intentioned rewards changes create frustration instead of motivation, and what to do instead.

Before you change compensation, bonuses, performance metrics, or incentives, listen to this one. Motivation is not simple — and your people will feel it if you treat it like it is.

Episode Highlights:

Why motivation advice is often oversimplified
The pros of cons of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation
The research controversy behind rewards
How to avoid accidentally breaking motivation while trying to improve performance
The key elements employees need to feel satisfied with changing targets
Navigating the messy business of changing pay structures

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ACzmEnAqjxI

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Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:

Uri, Gneezy. Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work, Yale University Press, 21 Mar. 2023, https://a.co/d/07vHQsd7
Doshi & McGregor. Primed to Perform, Harper Business, 6 Oct. 2015, https://a.co/d/0ibqm98O
Amabile and Kramer. The Progress Principle, Harvard Business School Press, 2011, https://a.co/d/0eFJn0Ow
Cameron and Pierce. “Reinforcment, Reward, and Intrinsic Motivation: A Meta-Analysis,” Review of Educational Research, 64 (3), 363-423, Fall 1994, https://www.jstor.org/stable/1170677

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