Rethinking Motivation Beyond Carrots and Sticks

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I hope you took 3 minutes to watch the video because what follows is a more detailed explanation of the topic I started to explain in the video.

There was a time when we all thought the earth was flat – but we got wiser.

There was a time we believed that you should not swim within an hour of your last meal – old mammy rubbish, it turned out. (I still have a grudge to grind with my mother on this one)

And yes, there was a time when we believed that motivation essentially boils down to carrot and stick,

... and now we know better

Understanding Self-Determination Theory

At its core, Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is about creating quality motivation, which is crucial for using both our personal and professional lives. Developed by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, SDT suggests that optimal performance and well-being in any activity are achieved when basic psychological needs are met.?

These needs are Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness.

Autonomy refers to the need to feel in control of one's own behaviours and goals. Rather than feeling pressured or controlled, an autonomous individual acts with a sense of free will and has the freedom to make choices.?

In the hospitality industry, this might translate into employees having the ability to make decisions about managing guest interactions or solving problems, thus providing greater job satisfaction and innovative thinking.

Competence involves the need to gain mastery of tasks and learn different skills. It implies a feeling of mastery and the ability to do well.?

For hospitality workers, ensuring that they have adequate training, opportunities for professional development, and feedback is key. This is not only good for productivity, it increases customer loyalty – dramatically (being served by someone competent – is such a pleasure – yes?)

Relatedness Is about the desire to feel connected to others, to care for and be cared for, and to belong. The sense of belonging is key. In a high-touch industry like hospitality, fostering a supportive team environment where team members feel valued and connected is a key driver of retention. Pick any high-performance team, and they will tell you that the quality of their relationship is the backbone of everything they do.

By focusing on these three critical needs – autonomy, competence, and relatedness – hospitality managers can create a workplace where everyone feels naturally driven to do their best. When team members feel independent, skilled, and connected, they're more engaged, committed, and genuinely happy in their roles. This not only makes the workplace a better environment for everyone but also boosts the quality of service, driving up your NPS rating."

What now?

Look at your training and development programs – your onboarding. To what extent are you paying attention to the fact that we no longer believe the earth is flat when it comes to motivation?

PS If you are finding this useful - please share it with your colleagues

...and do check out my free library section if you would like to sharpen your leadership skills

?? See you in the next issue

#engagement #leadershipdevelopment #Humanresources