Whilst the politicians keep talking about clamping down on huge financial incentives in response to the financial crisis, many banks and other corporations contend that large financial incentives are required to attract, engage and retain people.
But as Dan Pink shows us in his recent talk at the TED Talks, pay and financial rewards are not the most effective way to engage and motivate employees. They never were in the past, and certainly won’t be in the future. To engage and motivate people in the future, organisations will need to take a very different strategy.
To motivate people in the 21st century organisations need to focus not on financial rewards but instead on helping employees achieve:
1. Autonomy
2. Mastery
3. Purpose
As usual with Pink, his ideas are based on solid facts and scientific research.
So tell me, is he right? Is what Pink has to say consistent with what motivates you..?
In 2001 when Dan Pink published “Free Agent Nation,” it was seen as a trailblazing book on the modern workplace. A future workplace characterized by less job security, no more “jobs for life”‘ along with a distinct lack of long-term loyalty from employees towards organisations.
As Pink contended, in a globalised, interconnected world economy characterised with ever-increasing competition and technological advances, the workplace will never be the same again.
These forces have conspired to make those of us in the industrialised world “free agents.” That is, independent, freelance consultants – regardless of whether we’re in full-time employment or not.
I’ve been talking about this with clients for several years, but for many people this has been a difficult concept to comprehend. Especially for those in permanent roles with no intention of becoming self-employed.
But interestingly, as the events in the financial markets and job market over the last 18 months have shown, a permanent contract doesn’t mean much. And those individuals who will thrive in the modern workplace will be the ones who think and act like a professional, forward-thinking freelancer.
Here are 10 ways you can thrive by acting and thinking like a freelancer:
Earlier this week, it was the birthday of Leonardo Da Vinci.
That’s right, 15th April 2009 was the 557th birthday of one of the smartest people that ever lived.
A genius, some would say.
A Genius – Why?
Well, apart from being one of the greatest painters of all time (who painted The Mona Lisa portrait), he also had many other talents and careers. He was also an architect, inventor, mathematician, engineer, sculpter, anatomist, musician and writer.
He was truly multi-talented and achieved success in so many different areas despite having no formal education.
You’re a genius too
But being multi-talented is not just the preserve of the likes of Da Vinci – you too have many different talents. Your whole team is multi-talented. Your whole organisation has multiple talents – despite having people who are pigeon-holed into different jobs.
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