Extrinsic motivation: meaning, examples and tips
There are several ways to motivate employees. These can be divided into two groups: intrinsic and extrinsic. Today, we'll discuss the latter method.
What is extrinsic motivation?
Extrinsic motivation is when someone is prompted to take action by external factorsWe primarily think of positive factors, such as rewards. However, negative factors are also possible, such as punishments and fines.
So it is motivation that comes from the desire to to receive a reward or avoid a punishment.
Examples of extrinsic motivation
Here are some examples of extrinsic motivation in the corporate world:
- A company car
- An end-of-year bonus
- Lots of vacation days
- Company outings
- Promotions
- Corporate gifts
- Praise from a manager
The difference with intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation is the internal drive to do something. The will to do something comes from the person himself, for the sake of passion, curiosity or personal growthFor example, think of someone who learns a new language because they enjoy it, or an employee who enjoys working on a project because they find the content interesting.
These are the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation:
| Intrinsic motivation | Extrinsic motivation |
| Comes from within | Comes from outside |
| You experience satisfaction during the activity itself | The activity itself is not always fun, but you do it to achieve a result |
| Continues to exist without external stimuli | Often temporary: motivation disappears once the reward is gone |
| Leads to creativity and innovation | Short-term focus, higher productivity |
Often, the two work together. For example, you might take a refresher course because you're curious (intrinsic) and because you want to obtain a certificate (extrinsic).
The benefits of extrinsic motivation
- Fast behavioral controlIt's an effective way to get employees to act quickly, for example, to achieve a sales target.
- Measurable: Because extrinsic motivation is often linked to rewards, it is easy to measure and evaluate results.
- Incentive for difficult tasks: It helps team members perform tasks they enjoy less.
Tip:Extrinsic motivation works best when combined with intrinsic motivation. If it's all about rewards, it can lead to superficial effort or stress.
Motivating with gifts
Do you want motivating employees In an extrinsic way? How about gifts?
Small gifts show that their work is appreciated. This increases the feeling of involvement. Gifts such as a cookie treat of aperitif box can strengthen the working atmosphere and loyalty.
