Effectively Motivating through Rewards

Whether we are a parent, teacher, coach, or any kind of leader one of the age old questions we all seem to ask ourselves time and time again is how do I motivate others?!  One proven method is motivating through rewards however many of us struggle to know how to effectively do it in a way that truly motivates.  And in some instances, if we are not careful, rewards can actually do more harm than good. With this in mind, here are a few pointers that I’ve seen work and I believe will help as you strive to motivate others through rewards.

#1-Positive Reinforcement

One of the best rewards we can give to others is the kindness of our words.  In fact, consistent and sincere positive reinforcement in my opinion is the number one way to motivate others. In life we are often trained to look for and point out only the bad. And pointing out the bad constantly is very deflating to anyone, whereas doing the opposite, if we actually take the time to point out the good, is uplifting and motivating.  People often become what we tell them they are.  If we say they are awesome, they will become awesome.  The truth is, people often don’t really need tangible rewards or gifts to be motivated—all they need and want is sincere positive reinforcement and praise for a job well done. 

#2-Earned & Clear

If we are attempting to motivate through rewards, then there must be a strong and direct correlation between performance and the reward. There should be a clear understanding of what must be accomplished in order to receive the reward, removing as much subjectivity and variability as possible.  Also it is important to protect the integrity of the award by ensuring the achievements required are actually reached before the reward is given. And hopefully the reward is something that requires effort by the individual. Without the effort, if it is too easy to earn or obtain, then the reward will quickly lose its value and its ability to motivate.

#3-Personal Value

When we reward someone for achieving something, it helps when we give them something that they really want and matters to them. Having a “blanket” reward approach where all winners receive the same thing every time will lessen the ability to motivate others to achieve it.  Like shoes, one reward does not fit all; thus to make our rewards even more valuable, it should be personalized.

#4-Given Immediately

The closer we can give the reward to the time the behaviors to earn the reward occurred, the better. When reinforcement is immediate, motivation and the likelihood of repeat performance greatly increases. When we delay, people often forget or fail to correlate what they did “good” to receive the reward—even when you tell them! Thus, have the reward ready to give as soon as possible and don’t delay.

Often we believe that simply giving rewards is enough to motivate others but it is not.  When done properly, by following the tips above, rewards can be an effective way to motivate others; however when done poorly, rewards can actually decrease and completely eliminate motivation. Thus, when motivating through rewards we must be careful. By following the simple steps above, we will become more effective leaders and more effective “rewarders”.

The Innovator's Solution

The Innovator’s Solution by Clayton M. Christensen offers some solid business solutions when it comes to starting a new business or a new business line in an already established company.  Below are some of my key takeaways. 

#1

Find a way to compete against nonconsumption.  There are several consumers who would love to use certain products, services, or technology if they could afford it or knew how to get it or use it.  Some of the most successful businesses found a way to offer something that already existed in the market but at a much lower price.  These products and/or services were often less sophisticated but met the needs of this “lower end” market.  Competing against nonconsumption is a great way to start.

#2

Ensure your product/service is completing a job that the consumer needs to get done.  Too often new products/services are geared toward something new and exciting rather than solving an already present need in the consumer’s life.  If we can offer a product or service that helps resolve or improve a problem that already exists in the customer’s life than we will have a better chance of success. 

#3

Hire people based on past experiences rather than current accolades, titles, or positions.  Most companies make the mistake of hiring people with a proven track record rather than people who have faced similar challenges and circumstances the job will entail.  A new start-up company or business line is very different than working and having success in an established one. 

#4

Most great companies begin by having an emergent or flexible strategy.  Be willing to change and adapt your initial plans and strategies with opportunities that emerge.  According to the author, over 90% of initial strategies are wrong and eventually get altered in order for the company to succeed.  Don’t get married to an idea too early on in the development process, otherwise it may lead to unwise choices and the eventual death of your organization. 

The book, The Innovator’s Solution, is a thought-provoking and helpful one for those interested in developing and exploring new business lines and disruptive opportunities.  Having a basic concept of the ideas found in this book will help any business professional charged with facing such decisions. 

To see how I rated this book click here

I Know an Angel

I know an angel.  His name is Joshua.  He is my son. 

When my wife was about 29 weeks pregnant with Josh she went in for a routine ultra sound at which time it was discovered that Joshua had an extremely fast heart rate.  The doctors were uncertain how long Josh had been having this problem but with further tests it was discovered that he already had fluid around his little heart and in his lungs.  My wife was admitted immediately to the hospital and began to take a variety of medications in an attempt to control Josh’s heart.  After about a month of being hospitalized and basically confined to a bed in order to monitor our baby’s heart, my wife was released home with Josh’s heart now under control with just the right amount and combinations of medications.  Had my wife not gone in for that routine ultra sound on that day, it is certain Josh would have been a stillborn child. 

Since this moment until today Josh has had bouts with hospitalizations due to irregular heart rates but in every instance we have seen miracles to preserve Josh’s life.  He continues to bless our lives with his abundant and evident love for life and all others.  At two years old he is quick to offer a big smile and loves to hug others including strangers.  He truly brightens everyone’s day.      

My purpose in sharing this story is that I believe less obvious situations like this happen on a routine basis.  I believe each of us is here for a purpose and each of us is preserved by the hand of God in one way or another at different times in our lives so that we can be angels to each other.  Often we are not aware of how our divine father is saving and preserving us, allowing us to remain on this earth, but I know it happens.  It happened with my son. The questions we need to all ask ourselves is, why are we here and are we doing what we are meant to be doing on this earth? 

If we feel the answer to this last question is perhaps “no” that we may not be doing what we are meant to be doing then we need to search and diligently ask our divine creator what our purpose is and then have the faith to do it.  It may require sacrifice, it may require a change, it may require us to leave our comfort zone. 

When Josh reaches a certain weight and age he should be able to have a procedure that completely cures his heart from any more problems.  He will then grow and mature like anyone else and his heart problems and near death experiences will be forgotten or at least not known by the majority of people he will interact with.  He will appear and be just like everyone else.  I believe we are surrounded by angels just like Josh every day. Did you ever stop and think that perhaps the person across form you is a cancer survivor, or scarcely avoided a tragic car accident this morning, or had a life threatening situation in their childhood but are now standing in front of you without any signs of having such problems? How would our attitude toward them change if we saw them in their predicament and time of need?  Unfortunately, we don’t see each other in this way.  All we see is the person today who stands in front of us but the truth is, we are all angels preserved by the hand of God to be here and to help each other.

I know that life does have a purpose.  See the angels around you and be an angel.  There is a purpose they are here and there is a purpose you are here.  Live life in a purposeful way.  Do what you alone are meant to do!       

Not Easier, Better

Too often we wish things were easier.  The truth is however that hard things make us who we are.  Through the difficulties and challenges in life, as long as we do not allow them to break us, we gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence, pride, and personal satisfaction.  Hard things make the good times sweet. 

I believe this life is a test.  If we understand that we are being tested to see how we manage and deal with difficulties, it will help us succeed. 

I don’t know a single person who lived that didn’t have challenges, struggles, and difficult times.  It is part of life—it is our reality.  If we can accept this and expect unexpected challenges to come our way, we will be more prepared and ready to face and overcome them. 

Instead of wishing life were easier, we should wish that we were better.  If we could endure, persevere, and overcome the challenges of life with a better attitude, resolve, and perspective, life would indeed be joyful.  Unfortunately our perspective is often based simply on the here and now rather than on the future and what may come of our difficulties.  Remember diamonds are made after a tremendous amount of pressure, heat, and time.  We are all in the process of becoming diamonds.    

Without the difficult times, the joyous times would be greatly diminished.  Difficulties provide the sense of accomplishment and triumph we all seek and need.  Experiencing the bitter helps us to recognize, enjoy, and even relish the sweet.  We were made to overcome, survive, and persevere.  It is innate within us.  We can do hard things!
 
So, don’t wish it were easier all the time, wish you were better.  As we do this, our life will be abundant.