Incentive Engineering
All about the carrot
I call the science of aligning individual interests to organizational interests using incentives as Incentive Engineering.
If you look at what people do and how they do it; you will see, that sooner or later, one way or another, they will want to fulfil their needs and wants.
On the other hand, organizations have certain requirements which may or may not be pleasant to carry out.
Anyway, the only reason a lot of people grind at 9 to 5 jobs, is because it fulfills a need or want for them. It becomes a grinding experience only because their other needs and wants may not be getting fulfilled there.
But imagine what would happen if all the needs and wants of these same people getting fulfilled. Now, how do you think they will work?
I agree, we cannot fulfil everyone’s desires, but we can do so where it matters, right? I’m sure it’s not difficult to facilitate or allow time for travel or whatever they really want to do, either as part of the work, or outside it.
So, what needs and wants do you think are being fulfilled for your people?
P.S. this is the best way to figure out the best fit personalities for each role, before hiring.
Cheers!