The Power of Intrinsic Motivation
How to Make Work Meaningful
Purpose | Autonomy | Mastery
Workers who understand how their job is connected to a larger mission or purpose tend to be much more motivated than those who feel no such connection. In this sense, government agencies have a significant advantage over profit-driven organizations because many government employees are drawn to public service by a desire to make a difference in the world. Connecting people to the mission does not happen on its own, however; managers need to keep their people focused on--and connected to--that larger mission. The page has resources to help managers learn to connect their employees to the mission as well as guidance to help all of us tap into our own public service motivation.
Articles
- Employee Engagement: Making a Difference, by Adam Grant
A Wharton Nano Tool for Leaders ® (check out the app!); designed to help employees gain a clearer understanding of how their work impacts others. From Wharton Executive Education and Wharton's Center for Leadership and Change Management.
- Creating Line of Sight, by Russ Linden
Terrific article about how to connect seemingly menial tasks to an inspiring mission.
- What Makes Work Meaningful -- Or Meaningless, by Catherine Bailey and Adrian Madden
Superb article from The Sloane Management Review outlining the key factors that give work meaning -- and seven things managers do to make their employees feel that same work is meaningless.
- Creating a Purpose-Driven Organization, by Robert E. Quinn and Anjan V. Thakor
Insightful article from the Harvard Business Review.
- Thoughts on Man's Purpose in Life, by Adm. Hyman Rickover
Inspiring speech Admiral Rickover (1900-86) gave in 1977 about purpose and perseverance.
- The Toughtest Choices a Leader Must Make, by Ray Blunt
There are a few specific decisions you must make that will have a major impact on your effectiveness as a leader.
- Always Start with Purpose, by Bob Behn
Even the Israelis and Palestinians can work together when they have a shared purpose.
- Two Leaders--Two Legacies, by Ray Blunt
Contrasts the leadership of Thomas Jefferson and William Wilberforce.
- On a Mission, by Ray Blunt
On the importance of finding your true purpose in life.
- Life Mission Statement Worksheet
Write a Life Mission Statement.
- Motivated by the Organization's Mission or Their Career?: Implications for Leaders in Turbulent Times
Interesting report by the Center for Creative Leadership about motivating employees who are mission-focused versus career-focused.
- The Roles of Feedback, Autonomy, and Meaningfulness in Employee Performance Behaviors
This excellent study by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MPSB) demonstrates how effective feedback can help employees feel connected to the mission of their agency.
Books
Living, Leading, and the American Dream
John Gardner had a distinguished career as a leader in both government and civil society. He wrote widely about leadership and public service. Living, Leading and the American Dream is a compilation of many of his most inspiring writings about public service motivation. Includes essays on commitment and meaning, personal renewal, creativity, building and leading communities, and the link between motivation and talent. Read More...
Seeing Is Believing: How the New Art of Visual Management Can Boost Performance Throughout Your Organization
Man's Search for Meaning
Crossed Lives--Crossed Purposes
Hero for Humanity: A Biography of William Wilberforce
Video
Viktor Frankl: Search for Meaning
