THE BIG QUESTION: HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO DO GREAT WORK?

‘You can do it!’ roars the motivational speaker. ‘All you need to do is BELIEVE in your ability to ACHIEVE, and you will SUCCEED! Repeat after me: conceive, believe, achieve. Conceive, believe, achieve. Conceive, believe, achieve…’ Fist-pumps abound.

Except… you know motivation doesn't work like that. You can inspire people — and be inspired — all you like. But unless you change the game, nothing changes. Inspiration is like milk: it expires. And what you're left with is the work required to make your goals and ideas happen.

‘So let's just offer a bonus reward', says the manager, eager to see change happen. ‘If we offer a bonus, people will do it.’

And sure, you can change the ...

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