Our team notices something fascinating when we work with high-performers: the distinction between external rewards and internal drivers. Self-Determination Theory, pioneered by Ryan & Deci, helps explain why: Extrinsic Motivation: ? Driven by external rewards and consequences ? Creates short-term compliance ? Often leads to psychological resistance ? Performance drops when rewards are removed ? Creates dependency on external validation Intrinsic Motivation: ? Driven by internal satisfaction and meaning ? Generates sustainable engagement ? Enhances creativity and innovation ? Persists through challenges and setbacks ? Fosters psychological ownership and agency Here's just a few of the ways intrinsic can have a positive impact: ?? Resilience: When facing adversity, those driven by intrinsic motivation demonstrate greater persistence, adaptability, and capacity to maintain performance through disruption. ?? Performance: Intrinsically motivated individuals demonstrate 3x greater problem-solving ability and significantly higher productivity over time compared to extrinsically motivated peers. ?? Well-Being: External motivators correlate with higher stress, anxiety, and burnout, while intrinsic drivers support psychological flourishing and job satisfaction. The key insight? Intrinsic motivation thrives when three psychological needs are met: 1. Autonomy: Having meaningful choice, volition or alignment with the task 2. Competence: Experiencing growth and mastery in areas of meaning 3. Relatedness: Connecting to purpose and people Create environments that nurture these three fundamental needs rather than relying on carrots and sticks. Have you noticed the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in your own work? Where have they been most visible? #Motivation #SelfDeterminationTheory #PerformancePsychology #Resilience
