Motivation 2.0 a term coined by Daniel Pink in his book Drive stands for “Carrot and Stick” method of motivation of human beings so successful in the Industrial Age.
This method of motivation focuses on extrinsic rewards and promotes performance.Hence this kind of a reward system encourages those with high IQ but does not encourage any form of EQ.
Hence this model is a misfit in the modern age of a knowledge worker.
ROWE stands for Results Only Work Environment a human resource management concept created by Jody Thompson and Cali Ressler wherein employees are paid for results(output) rather than number of hours worked.
This concept is becoming more and more popular in the modern day of the knowledge and finds a mention in Daniel Pink’s book Drive.
For more details on ROWE along with origin , pros and cons please refer to the following Wikipedia link:
Simon Sinek’s book The Infinite Game talks about business and life as both Infinite Games where the rules are not defined , the players are unknown and the time is unlimited.
In both business as well as life , there is nothing like “Winning” or “Losing”.There is only “Ahead” or “Behind”.
Needlessly to say players in an infinite game need to think of the long term and need to possess an infinite mindset.
Daniel Pink in his book Drive categorizes such people who are intrinsically motivated towards a JUST CAUSE as “Type I” or intrinsically motivated personalities.Being intrinsically motivated makes these people use autonomy and mastery to work towards a vision or a JUST CAUSE rather than working for money i.e. short term winning.
Hence the infinite game of life needs adoption of a mindset similar to that of “Type I” personalities.
To stimulate desired behavior in human , motivation is a key need.
Right from the caveman times to the modern age of drones , motivation has existed but evolved over ages.
During caveman times , the primary ask was to save lives from other stronger and deadly wild creatures.The Motivation 1.0 model was stimulated by the need to be safe and survive the test of time.
As human beings survived the test of time wherein other stronger species became extinct , came the need to improve our lives and standard of living.The Stone Age gave way to the Industrial Revolution wherein factories came into prominence.
The factory model though very effective for quote some point of time resulted in monotony due to dreary , dull and repetitive work.Hence the Motivation 2.0 was all about seeking compliance by means of Reward and Punish motivational techniques.
Now that we are in age of innovation and creativity more is need to use our Right Brain to innovate by the day.In such a context Motivation 3.0 has evolved which has “Intrinsic Motivation” at its very core.It goes by the assumption that self motivated people need autonomy and a sense of purpose to show their mastery so very needed in the modern day innovative work places.
Adopted from Daniel Pink’s book Drive
In this post I have tried to arrive at a synergy based on concepts provided by Daniel Pink in his book Drive and the concepts mentioned by Simon Sinek in his book The Infinite Game.
Motivation 2.0 or Carrot and Stick method of motivation was applicable in the era of Industrial Revolution based on finite mindset
Whereas Motivation 3.0 is applicable in the modern day of the knowledge worker based on intrinsic motivation related principles.
The table below outlines the most glaring differences and proves beyond doubt that Motivation 3.0 is adopted by infinite minded leaders in the infinite game of business.
| Motivation 2.0 | Motivation 3.0 |
| Based on extrinsic motivation e.g Rewards | Based on intrinsic motivation e.g. autonomy |
| Short term oriented | Long term oriented |
| Result in Type X(extrinsic) personalities | Results in long term mindset oriented Type I personalities |
| Does not apply in the modern day infinite game | Is the best technique for the infinite game |
| Encourage narrow mindset , unethical behavior | Encourage adopting infinite mindset and long term oriented mindset |
| Inherently stressful | Inherently oriented towards fulfillment |
| Dopamine shot | Stimulates flow of Oxytocin |
| Common for mundane , routine bound and “Left brain” oriented work | Most applicable to encourage creativity , innovation associated with “right brain” oriented work |
The following subtle techniques are used by Great Leaders to shower praise to result in the most desired impact
Adopted from Daniel Pink’s book Drive
Intrinsically motivated Type I leaders practice giving up control to give more autonomy to employees to unleash creativity and make innovation happen.
These are the three techniques used by them to accomplish the same:
Adopted from Daniel Pink’s book Drive
The following are the five components of Mastery
Adopted from Daniel Pink’s book Drive
The following is a key insight from Daniel Pink’s book Drive, that throws light as to how extrinsic rewards make sense in the modern knowledge worker age.
“An extrinsic reward should be unexpected and offered only after the task is complete.”
Motivation 2.0 or Carrot and Stick method of motivating people , is a new term coined by Daniel Pink in his book Drive.
This kind of motivational method works for dreary , mundane , routine bound work which is bereft of any creativity.
The IF-THEN lure of rewards promised as part of this technique often encourage people to indulge in unethical practices and short term mindset in order to meet the targets.Narrowed focus and a temporary shot of dopamine leads to an even more finite minded mentality that kills creativity and long term vision.
Hence in modern day knowledge worker age where creativity and innovation form the foundation of innovation based organizations , this kind of a technique hardly works.
Needed are Motivation 3.0 based intrinsic motivation techniques that bring out the creative genius in people.
Adopted from Daniel Pink’s book Drive