How do you reward in the 21st century?
Posted on | January 19, 2011 | Comments Off
I recently watched a youtube video. It is a talk by Dan Pink that examines recent research. This contends bonus schemes based on reward and punishment don’t work. You can view it by looking at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc
I am wondering, if the most important motivators are not financial but psychological,then what does it mean for the way we reward people and the whole philosophy of employee benefits?
Do we find different incentives outside of bonus schemes, pay grades etc? Do we provide rewards based on the psychological needs ?
According to the U – tube clip there are three motivators that lead to better performance:
- Autonomy – giving the maximum control to the individual on how they contribute to the organisation.
- Mastery – presenting challenges where people can learn.
- Purpose – having a purpose that inspires.
The current practices of Employers sometimes contradict these motivations. Many organisations, aware of risks, seek compliance to set procedures or routines. Along with Roger Cook of Zero3 our contention is whilst compliance is necessary in some organisations, it does not mean that there has to be a total compliance philosophy.
We believe that there needs to be an approach that has a total reward philosophy. It is not going to be any good in the world of the 21st Century Employment to pay good money but then demotivate staff by not giving them sufficient autonomy, challenge or sense of purpose. Thinking this through it would involve:
- Paying attention to psychological rewards and training mangers to use these
- Link financials reward to all the processes in the Company
- Encourage initiative and creativity
- Communicate rewards differently
- Offer rewards that help the employee to master new challenges and also recognise them as individuals
- Benchmark salaries and,pay midrange basic salary and have less bonuses, but more rewards that are not directly cash based.
These ideas are clearly contradictory to current practice but may be worth exploring.
Helixhr has psychological approaches, that can help with these motivators. This is the discovery of purpose and the development of potential/mastery through psychological feedback and coaching and improving teamwork which adds to the purpose of the organisation. We have teamed up with O3 employee benefits to link these to financial rewards.
What is happiness?
Posted on | September 23, 2010 | Comments Off
What is happiness? How can I be happier? Part One
A couple of people have asked me my thoughts on happiness. It is something we don’t have training on. Here is my personal take on it. In four parts.
When I am unhappy I sometimes think if only I had a car, house, posh shirt, copy of the jive bunnies’ latest music, better job etc. then I will be happy. But although nice things can make life better and can be fun, they are not the source of my happiness. In fact their pursuit alone leads to inner turmoil.
I sometimes seek distraction from unhappiness in chocolate, biscuits, drink, computer games, noise, and television etc. This can only mask unhappiness. Biscuits can be nice with a cup of tea though. My particular addictions are Sky Sports, Marks and Spencer’s hot cross buns and liquorice. Yum.
Happiness comes from within. Within, what I am not sure.
Other people like to help me but sometimes they think they know best. Yuk! Giving to others is a source of happiness, living life according to others rules or expectations is a prison. Friendship is yucky or not depending whether it fulfils these conditions.
When I compare myself to others this can be useful or rubbish. It is useful if I learn how someone does a skill or the attitude they have to a problem. It is rubbish if I think ‘I can never be as cool (beautiful, muscled, tattooed) as that person.’ This creates the so-called ‘bad self esteem’. That in itself is an illusion because I can never take away my worth. Life is not a race against others; I start from where I am and attempt to get better.
Uses of Myers Briggs for schools and teachers
Posted on | September 29, 2009 | No Comments
Teachers deserve excellent approaches
Have you ever wondered whether there is a way of understanding the different personalities in a classroom? Why do some children chatter incessantly and others are more silent than monks? Why does one need to know how to do stuff and another keeps asking questions? Why when you put some in groups you are spending your time stopping major conflict while other teams function, well, like teams?
The Myers Briggs Temperament Indicator
has a lot to say to teachers about these differences. These differences spring out of the way we prefer to learn, what motivates us and the type of teacher we prefer. It covers the whole spectrum of managing learning. You can read People Types &Tiger Stripes by Gordon Lawrence (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/People-Types-Tiger-Stripes-Practical/dp/0935652167/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262631633&sr=8-1
or if your school or business would like an introductory talk-give us a bell.
Are you an entrepreneur?
Posted on | September 29, 2009 | No Comments
Is there an entrepreneurial personality type?
In the research papers I have read it appears that certain personalities are attracted to entrepreneurial activities. Which comes first might be an element of chicken or egg.
In broad terms the characteristics of the entrepreneurial personality are
- creative, restless, but with an eye to the practical
- logical, analytical, decisive , able to shift through the information
- adaptable, changeable, flexible
There are two types of entrepreneur-the social ones who tend to be great at networking, selling,(such as Richard Branson) and the more aloof ones who often have a techie approach (e.g. Bill Gates).
Recently I helped a salesman moved into a Managing Director role. One of the main areas we worked on was being able to detach from people to make decisions. This freed him up to use his creativity to find new opportunities.
Why learn about this?
If you are a budding entrepreneur then it might be worth seeing what aspects of your personality will help you and what might limit you.
If you are a coach or advisor you might want to learn how best to approach and get on with an entrepreneur?
Better still give me a call if you want to discuss.
Find your true career
Posted on | September 29, 2009 | 2 Comments
Have you found your s yet?
Olympic champions often know what they want to do from early in life. Some of us are late developers. Your red rubber ball is your passion. It gets you up in the morning and the next day.
‘If everyone followed their red rubber ball then they would be happy. We spend so much time doing things we should do, not what we feel is right for us and makes us happy. It is a very exciting idea isn’t it? It has taken me my whole life to get near. It is brilliant you can give people a short cut.’ Lucy England
One of the best training courses I have ever been on was conducted by Neil Kirby and Steve Williams of the Red Rubber Ball Company. It answers some really basic questions:
Have you ever wondered what’s all about-where you should be directing your energy? Do you wish you had more motivation? Are you really living your life as you want? Using all your resources? Following your dreams?
The Red Rubber Ball idea comes from Kevin Carroll. He is a former Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers; he also worked for Nike and is a consultant and public speaker through his company, Katalyst. He did not have the best start in life yet through encouragement and determination he found want made him feel alive and what he wanted to pursue. This he called his red rubber ball. He has been pursuing it ever since.
I have always pursued a number of different goals and roles. The beauty of the Red Rubber Ball process is that it links these all together into one meaningful and exciting journey. And the dreams are coming true. This workshop aims help you start to achieve yours.
If you would like to know more I am doing a taster training at Leweswerks in February. Look at www.leweswerks.org.uk for more or call on 07940 130970
5 things to improve your teaching
Posted on | September 21, 2009 | No Comments
Learn about methods
They don’t teach you this at teacher training. From the great teachers at Pilgrims(www.pilgrims.co.uk) I have learnt about:
- suggestopedia-a skilful way to go overcome natural resistances to learning. This method was discovered in Bulgaria by Dr Georgi Lozanov.
- the silent way; this is an approach to language teaching designed to enable students to become independent, autonomous and responsible learners. It is part of aapproach to teaching and learning created by Caleb Cattegno.
- Neuro-linguistic Programming. This method helps you create worthwhile and constructive relationships with your students as well as ways of reading them individually.
- Multiple intelligences, psychodrama and many others.
Learn to trust your voice as a teacher
There is no single way to teach. You will have your own voice, your own way of being as a teacher. some teachers will be madly, extravert and entertaining; others will be good at listening or very well organised. Use this voice as a strength and then bridge to reach others.
Teaching is part of the entertainment business
Some element of performance and entertainment are part of the teaching package. I am learning stand-up at the moment which has helped me understand performance. Other forms of creativity such as drama, music, writing etc. add to this.
All teaching teaches humanity
Sounds abit pompous but all teachers are role models and the more human you are and the more you show of yourself the more consistent is the teaching.
Study psychology
It has got alot to teach you. I recommend Fuerstein and his theories of mediation to remind you how much impact a teacher can have.