Gamification of Work: Unhealthy competition or productivity boosters?

Remember when you were a kid, glued to the screen, conquering levels of Super Mario Bros and collecting as many coins as you can so you could claim bragging rights over your sibling? That's the power of gamification, and it's not just for entertainment anymore. I've been seeing it pop up more and more in organisations around me, from leaderboards for ideation to points being allocated to be able to win substantial financial rewards for innovative contributions. But is it all fun and games in the workplace?

Gamification has been gaining traction in workplaces for its potential to boost engagement, motivation, and productivity.

However, the question remains: does it create unhealthy competition or truly enhance work performance? Let's delve into the pros and cons and explore how organisations can implement gamification in a positive way.

Competition vs. Productivity

• Competitive aspects:?Gamification can introduce leaderboards,?points,?and rewards,?which can foster healthy competition,?driving individuals and teams to push further.?However,?this can also lead to feelings of isolation,?resentment,?and an "us vs.?them" mentality,?especially if rewards are scarce or unfairly distributed.
• Productivity benefits:?Well-designed gamification elements can create a sense of accomplishment,?encourage learning through trial and error,?and provide immediate feedback,?leading to increased focus and productivity.?The key is to focus on intrinsic motivation and collaboration rather than extrinsic rewards and individual competition.

Positive Practices for Organisations

• Define clear goals and align with company values:?Ensure gamification aligns with overall objectives and promotes desired behaviours.?Don't gamify for the sake of gamification.
• Focus on collaboration and teamwork:?Implement team-based challenges and goals,?fostering shared success and encouraging knowledge sharing.
• Provide meaningful rewards:?Offer diverse rewards beyond just points or badges,?such as additional training opportunities,?flexible working hours,?or social recognition.
• Personalise the experience:?Cater to different learning styles and preferences,?allowing individuals to choose their preferred gamification elements.
• Gather feedback and iterate:?Regularly assess the impact of gamification initiatives,?gather employee feedback,?and adjust accordingly to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness.
• Prioritise transparency and fairness:?Clearly communicate the rules and objectives,?ensure equal access to opportunities,?and avoid creating situations where individuals feel pressured or excluded.

Examples of Positive Gamification

• Onboarding and training:?Use points,?badges,?and leaderboards to encourage participation in training modules and track progress.?Offer rewards for completing milestones or achieving mastery.
• Skill development:?Implement challenges for acquiring new skills,?like learning new software features,?and offer rewards for successful completion.
• Sales contests:?Use team-based challenges to incentivise collaboration and increase overall sales performance.
• Wellness programs:?Gamify healthy habits like taking breaks,?walking during lunch,?or completing fitness challenges,?promoting individual and collective well-being.

EY's Case Study: A Real-World Example

I found EY’s (UK & Ireland) approach to gamified employee experience quite fascinating. To test their crucial strategy, they built an immersive 360o experience with games gauging employee sentiment towards key values, the 3Ts (Talent, Technology and Trust). Reaching 84% of their target audience and confirming strong understanding across the organisation, this case study highlights the potential of gamification when done right.

Ready to level up?

Gamification requires careful planning, implementation, and ongoing monitoring to ensure it fosters a positive, productive, and inclusive work environment. By focusing on collaboration, intrinsic motivation, and clear goals, organisations can leverage gamification to unlock the true potential of their workforce. For further exploration, check out these links.

• What is Gamification? Literature Review of Previous Studies on Gamification
• Using Gamification To Create A More Engaged, Passionate And Innovative Team
• Gamification: The Trail to Awesome Adoption - Salesforce Live

Jemma Iles is Author of The Lightbox and Founder of The Lightbox Group . An organisation focused on building confidence and maturity in organisations around HR, Culture, Innovation and Future Readiness. Reach out to learn more about how she can help your organisation to unlock potential.