Tuesday, January 17, 2012

You’re loosing buddy!

We are all driven by different motivators (for example, affiliation, power, competition, recognition) but research illustrates that we all work all little harder when we think we are slightly behind. From the NBA to the manufacturing line people and teams that are slightly behind have boasts in their motivation and performance. Jonah Berger from Wharton School of Business suggests that managers should capitalize on this finding by using competitive feedback as an incentive tool. However, there is a caveat. Managers shouldn’t over use competitive feedback. There is a tipping point where employees who constantly hear that they are slightly behind become demotivated and give up trying.

*For more information on this entry see Harvard Business Review, October 2011 issue