The modern business leaders understand that the world of management has changed.  I believe that younger generations care less about the paycheck and the extrinsic rewards (money, recognition, titles), and care more about the intrinsic rewards (learning, making a difference in people’s lives, doing something because you are emotionally attached to it, taking on a challenge).

Evidence of this can be found in the information technology world, where you witness developer after developer crunching out some great software, usually because it solves their own needs–or needs of a close friend or family–not because someone is making them do it.  Sure enough, is that making money off the idea is usually their  2ndary motivation–which explains many of these new software companies challenge with making a profit.

Amazing things can be done if you, or your team, is intrinsically motivated.  The challenge is creating an environment that is driven by these intrinsic rewards.  How do you do this?  Well, for starters, find out who your most generally motivated people are.  Then find something that they care about.  Then let them run loose and let them find a way to make something amazing–without strings attached or a poking stick.  Watch what happens–they end up making something that people LOVE!  Why…because they did it for the sake of fulfilling their own intrinsic motivations, and found passion in doing it for the greater good.

This video does a good job at explaining what I’m talking about:

Today’s question (please comment with your response)–What are some examples of ways you can intrinsically motivate those around you in business, life or other?

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