I'd like to propose a heretical notion: that there is no such thing as
external motivation!!
Everything we do is (in the long run) consistent with our beliefs.
Behavior consistent with our beliefs occurs naturaly. Behavior
inconsistent with our beliefs can be forced (motivated) for a short time
(like keeping a beach ball under water), but ultimately our beliefs will
out.
If you believe relationships don't work, I'm not worthy, relationships are
stiffling -- you won't ever have a satisfying long term relationship.
If you believe that workers will only be productive if they are told what
to do, watched, corrected, etc -- then as a manger you cannot be an
empowerring leader -- even if the CEO of the conmpany offers you bonuses
if you are and threatens to fire you if you aren't. Your beliefs about
workers will determine your day to day activities as a manager.
Threats of punishment and promises of rewards can, at times, have a
limited and short term effect on behavior -- but in the long run, our
behavior is a function of our beliefs. That's why most forms of
psychotherapy are relatively ineffective. It also explains why most
training designed to change behavior also is relatively ineffective.
In short, to the extent there is a phenomenon of "intrinsic motivation" it
is beliefs.
Morty Lefkoe
For information about the Decision Maker(R) Institute and
my book, Re-Create Your Life: Transforming Yourself and
Your World, visit http://decisionmaker.com
> From: Kerr, Donald A <Donald.A.Kerr@USAHQ.UnitedSpaceAlliance.com>
> Date: Monday, June 30, 1997 1:43 PM
>
> Deming advocates, including myself, took Deming's statement "One is born
> with intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, dignity, joy in learning..."
> grabbed onto Kohn's work from the gut, and pressed on preaching intrinsic
> motivation without a clear definition of the term. I think we understood
> the concepts of self-esteem, dignity, and joy in learning, and the idea of
> "the willing worker" but we neglected to define what Intrinsic Motivation
> means. We never agreed on what it meant to be born with intrinsic
> motivation. What exactly are we born with? What is the source of
> intrinsic motivation and how does resignation to the extrinsic robbed us
> of that innate quality within?
--"decisionmaker.com" <Morty@decisionmaker.com>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>