- Common Questions
- Interview Questions
- How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself?
- Elevator Pitch
- Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?
- What Are Your Career Goals?
- When Can You Start?
- How Do You Define Success?
- Describe Your Work Ethic
- Where Are Your Current Duties?
- What Are Your Learning Goals?
- Intrinsic Vs Extrinsic Motivation
- What Is Your Desired Salary?
- What Makes You Unique?
- Why Are You The Best Person For This Job?
- Reasons For Termination
- What Are Your Work Values
- How To Make A Hard Decision?
- What Are You Most Proud Of?
- Personal Code Of Ethics
- Problem Solving Interview Questions
- Taking Initiative Example
- How Do You Prioritize Your Work
- Explain Gaps In Employment
- Most Rewarding College Experience
- What Is Your Work Style
- Tell Me About A Time When You Made A Mistake On The Job
- Tell Me About Gaps In Employment
- What Are You Passionate About
- What Skills Would You Bring To The Job
- Who Is Your Mentor?
- Tell Me About Gaps In Employment
- How To Answer Tell Me About A Time You Disagreed With Your Boss
- How To Answer Common Screening Questions
Find a Job You Really Want In
Summary. Intrinsic motivation drives individuals to seek internal fulfillment, while extrinsic motivation helps keep us aligned with external expectations. Intrinsic motivators allow you to find joy in your activities without needing outside rewards. For instance, you may cherish moments spent with family because they bring you happiness. In contrast, being extrinsically motivated means your actions are influenced by the desire for rewards or to avoid negative outcomes, such as striving to perform well on a project to prevent a poor grade.
Motivation is the essential force behind our actions, from everyday tasks to longer-term projects. While individuals may have unique motivators, they typically fall into two primary categories: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
In this article, you’ll discover the distinctions between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and how to effectively harness both in the modern workplace.
Key Takeaways
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Intrinsic motivation is driven by personal satisfaction and the joy of completing tasks.
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Extrinsic motivation is influenced by external rewards and consequences.
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Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are vital for achieving success.
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As a leader, you can inspire your team through both motivational styles.
Understanding Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations serve as different sources of energy that drive us toward our goals. Every action we take is influenced by these motivating factors.
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Extrinsic motivations guide us toward desired outcomes. For example, academic grades can help keep students focused on their studies. Similarly, the prospect of a year-end bonus may encourage employees to work harder.
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Extrinsic motivation shapes behavioral expectations. This dynamic plays a significant role in both professional and social contexts, as individuals often strive to meet the standards set by peers or superiors.
However, relying solely on extrinsic motivation can lead to burnout; thus, fostering intrinsic motivation is crucial for a balanced approach.
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Intrinsic motivations are aimed at achieving personal fulfillment. While this may sound challenging, you can find fulfillment in simple activities, such as nurturing a garden because it brings you joy. Actions driven by intrinsic motivation are pursued for their own sake, without the expectation of external rewards.
Balancing both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations cultivates a diligent, reliable, and happy workforce. Employees who are motivated from both internal and external sources tend to be more engaged and productive.
Examples of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
Think of “intrinsic” as motivation that originates from within and “extrinsic” as motivation influenced by external factors. Everyone is driven to act based on the outcomes they seek or wish to avoid.
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is about achieving a sense of accomplishment for its own sake, without expecting rewards. It involves completing tasks or reaching goals because they provide personal satisfaction.
Examples of intrinsic motivation include:
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Spending quality time with family because it brings you joy.
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Exercising because you value your health.
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Playing on a sports team purely for enjoyment.
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Cleaning your living space because it creates a comfortable environment.
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Reading a book because the topic interests you.
Extrinsic Motivation
In contrast, extrinsic motivation involves working towards goals with the aim of gaining rewards or avoiding penalties. It’s not necessarily driven by an inner desire but rather by external factors.
Examples of extrinsic motivation include:
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Completing a school project to avoid receiving a poor grade.
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Working on a project to impress your supervisor.
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Submitting artwork for a competition to win a cash prize.
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Attending mandatory training sessions for workplace compliance.
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Organizing your home before guests arrive.
How to Harness Extrinsic Motivation in the Workplace
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Set clear expectations. Clearly defining role expectations from the outset—through contracts or onboarding sessions—can motivate employees extrinsically. This guidance helps ensure employees understand their responsibilities and the potential consequences of not meeting them.
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Offer compensation incentives. Financial rewards can serve as powerful extrinsic motivators. Consider implementing a reward system to encourage high performance, as positive reinforcement often yields better results than fear of repercussions.
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Establish authority. A collaborative work environment is essential, but leaders must also maintain authority. This doesn’t mean being harsh; rather, it involves creating an atmosphere where employees feel respected and motivated not to disappoint.
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Provide positive feedback. Constructive feedback is vital for leadership and for enhancing extrinsic motivation. Acknowledging good work reinforces desired behaviors and encourages employees to continue striving for excellence.
How to Foster Intrinsic Motivation at Work
Encouraging intrinsic motivation can be more challenging than extrinsic motivation. Here are several strategies to enhance intrinsic motivation among your staff:
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Set meaningful goals. Goals provide direction and stimulate intrinsic motivation. Collaborate with employees to establish both short- and long-term objectives to promote teamwork and align personal aspirations.
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Encourage healthy competition. Creating a spirited but friendly competitive environment can enhance intrinsic motivation. Recognizing top performers or hosting competitions can inspire employees to excel without needing external rewards.
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Engage employees in your company’s vision. Getting staff invested in your organization’s mission is crucial for motivating them to perform at their best. Share your company’s story and values to foster a sense of purpose.
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Present interesting challenges. Offering employees engaging tasks can boost intrinsic motivation. Assign complex projects that align with their skills and interests to provide a rewarding experience and a sense of accomplishment.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation FAQ
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Which type of motivation is more effective?
Intrinsic motivation is generally considered more effective. This doesn’t imply that extrinsic motivation is ineffective; rather, overemphasis on external rewards can lead to dependence on them.
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What differentiates intrinsic from extrinsic motivation?
The key difference is that intrinsic motivation comes from within, while extrinsic motivation arises from external factors.
Intrinsic motivation is based on the satisfaction of completing a task, while extrinsic motivation focuses on obtaining a reward or evading a punishment.
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Is fear a form of intrinsic motivation?
No, fear is not considered intrinsic motivation. It is driven by the anticipation of external consequences.
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What are some examples of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Examples include:
Extrinsic
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Studying for good grades.
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Traveling for professional purposes.
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Practicing a sport to win a game.
Intrinsic
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Studying out of genuine interest.
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Traveling to experience new cultures.
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Practicing a sport for enjoyment.
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References
- Common Questions
- Interview Questions
- How To Answer Tell Me About Yourself?
- Elevator Pitch
- Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?
- What Are Your Career Goals?
- When Can You Start?
- How Do You Define Success?
- Describe Your Work Ethic
- Where Are Your Current Duties?
- What Are Your Learning Goals?
- Intrinsic Vs Extrinsic Motivation
- What Is Your Desired Salary?
- What Makes You Unique?
- Why Are You The Best Person For This Job?
- Reasons For Termination
- What Are Your Work Values
- How To Make A Hard Decision?
- What Are You Most Proud Of?
- Personal Code Of Ethics
- Problem Solving Interview Questions
- Taking Initiative Example
- How Do You Prioritize Your Work
- Explain Gaps In Employment
- Most Rewarding College Experience
- What Is Your Work Style
- Tell Me About A Time When You Made A Mistake On The Job
- Tell Me About Gaps In Employment
- What Are You Passionate About
- What Skills Would You Bring To The Job
- Who Is Your Mentor?
- Tell Me About Gaps In Employment
- How To Answer Tell Me About A Time You Disagreed With Your Boss
- How To Answer Common Screening Questions
Author
Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.
