an online book by David Gurteen
Motivation is an internal state that propels individuals to engage in goal-directed behavior. It is often understood as a force that explains why people or other animals initiate, continue, or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time. It is a complex phenomenon and its precise definition is disputed. It contrasts with amotivation, which is a state of apathy or listlessness.
Credit: Wikipedia - motivationMotivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly. | Stephen Covey Continue reading Motivation Is a Fire From Within Stephen Covey
In the book Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn, the central argument is that incentives, whether praise, gold stars, or performance-based grades, often undermine the very motivation they are meant to strengthen. Drawing on research from psychology and education, Kohn shows that rewards tend to shift attention away from the task itself toward the outcome, Continue reading Punished by Rewards: the Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes by Alfie Kohn (1999)
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. | Plutarch Continue reading The Mind Is Not a Vessel to Be Filled but a Fire to Be Kindled Plutarch
Knowledge alone is not power. Self-motivation, taking responsibility, and the ability to act on knowledge and to influence and work with people, especially those in authority, is power. | David Gurteen Continue reading Knowledge Alone Is Not Power David Gurteen
Our approach to Knowledge Management is far more than stick or carrot. We say, “Knowledge Sharing is your job. Do it! As a reward, you may keep your job.” | Bob Buckman Continue reading Knowledge Sharing Is Your Job. Do It! Bob Buckman
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. | John Quincy Adams Continue reading Inspire Others to Dream John Quincy Adams
In the early 2000s, Google introduced its 20% time policy that let workers spend one day a week on their own projects. This helped employees create new ideas while still doing their main jobs. Though it was hard to manage as the company grew, this approach led to successful products like Gmail and AdSense. Google showed how giving workers some freedom can spark creativity in a company. Continue reading The Google 20% Free Time Policy Innovation Story: A catalyst for innovation
Knowledge Management has long relied on incentives to encourage people to share what they know. These rewards often increase visible activity while quietly distorting motivation, trust, and judgment over time. A different approach focuses on conditions and relationships, in which knowledge sharing emerges through participation rather than being driven by rewards. Continue reading Why Incentives Undermine Knowledge Sharing A critique of traditional knowledge management thinking
We live in a world where more of us work with knowledge than with things. But we rarely ask what it means to be a knowledge worker. It’s not just about information or tools. It’s about how we think, how we act, and how we take responsibility for our own work. Continue reading What Is a Knowledge Worker? A knowledge worker is someone whose job entails having really interesting conversations
Strategic planning is evolving, with new approaches that are more inclusive and adaptable. Traditional, closed strategies limit employee involvement, leading to blind spots and disengagement. Organizations can create more effective strategies through broader participation and continuous adjustment by adopting open and adaptive strategy approaches. Continue reading Open, Adaptive Strategy Make employees partners in the strategy process
Change is a constant aspect of our lives, gradually shaping our identities. However, we face difficulties when attempting to change others’ behaviors. Direct attempts to control or coerce usually result in resistance and unintended consequences. Embracing a conversational approach can help us navigate change more effectively, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. Continue reading Changing People ** The challenge of trying to change people
One of the most significant mistakes we often make when striving to initiate change is trying to enforce change on others. Continue reading Ownership, Not Buy-in We need to move from buy-in to ownership
When It Comes to Lectures, Appearances Can Be Deceiving ** Learn to Listen and to Tell the Truth Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Whether it is our educational systems or the presentations we give at conferences, Continue reading The Mind Is a Fire to Be Kindled Not a vessel to be filled
What Commitment Really Means Engagement ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly. Credit: Stephen Continue reading Motivation ** Motivation is a fire from within
It is often suggested that offering rewards is necessary to motivate people, particularly when it comes to sharing their knowledge. However, this strategy is ultimately ineffective and potentially harmful in the long run. Continue reading Punished by Rewards Loving what you do is a more powerful motivator than any goody
The Difference Between Responsibility and Accountability Introduction: Motivation and Engagement ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close To encourage engagement and ownership, we must stop trying to do things to each other. People often ask me, “How Continue reading We Need to Stop Trying to Do Things to Each Other And start working together
Rhetoric is often construed as insincere or meaningless language that sounds clever. This is an unduly negative perspective. Rhetoric is a critical cognitive and communication skill. Continue reading Rediscovering Rhetoric Rethinking how we influence and communicate every day
