Ever notice how the real workplace drama rarely happens in the formal processes or dashboards? It’s in the undercurrents. The little eye-roll. The Slack silence. The way someone "forgets" to loop you in. Here’s the thing: the&nbs...

Feedback is a strange thing. We seek it because we want to grow—but we also avoid it because we want to feel accepted as we are. That’s because feedback sits at the intersection of two core drivers of intrinsic motivation: 🎯 Mastery -...

Today, we’re taking a closer look at something that affects motivation more than most people realize: Expected vs. Surprise Rewards. 🥕 Expected rewards (think: “If you hit your target, you get a bonus”) are everywhere in the workplace...

In previous issues, we’ve covered Theory X vs. Theory Y, Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation, and the four pillars of intrinsic motivation: autonomy, mastery, purpose, and belonging. It’s easy to think of extrinsic motiv...

Many people think individualism and autonomy are the same. After all, both seem to emphasize personal freedom, self-reliance, and independent decision-making. But according to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), they are fundamentally different—and und...

“As a startup grows, adding bureaucracy is unavoidable.” Or is it? When faced with the choice between chaos and bureaucracy, most founders reluctantly opt for the latter. However, this is a false dichotomy. Yes, as a startup or department within a l...

Have you ever been in an argument where someone outright refuses to even consider your point of view? Maybe they dismiss it immediately, calling it "ridiculous" or "unrealistic." Or perhaps you've caught yourself doing the same. This harding of side...

Have you ever wondered why some people resist even the best-intentioned initiatives? Why does a new policy, designed to improve motivation, instead spark resistance? The answer lies in an instinctive force called counterwill—a natural...

What truly motivates people at work? The answer lies in understanding intrinsic and extrinsic motivators—and how they shape workplace engagement and fulfillment. In this issue, we merge Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory with...

How many people can you truly maintain meaningful connections with? Anthropologist Robin Dunbar has an answer: about 150. But it's actually not just one number. His research suggests that human social circles are layered, each with it...

Feedback is a strange thing. We crave it because we want to grow—but we also fear it because we want to be accepted as we are. Feedback sits at the intersection of two core drivers of intrinsic motivation: mastery and belonging. And this is where a ...

You’ve probably heard Peter Drucker’s famous quote, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s catchy, but like many snappy sayings, it only tells part of the story. Today, let’s explore how culture and strategy aren’t adversaries at the ...

In the end, work comes down to relationships, just like any other important area in our lives: friendships, partnerships, parenting. It always comes down to relationships. If you manage to have more adult-to-adult interactions more often, you won't ...

The Empowerment Dynamic (TED) is a constructive alternative to the well-known Drama Triangle. While the Drama Triangle, developed by Dr. Stephen Karpman, revolves around conflict-driven roles—Victim, Villain, and Hero—TED en...

Should we aim for stretch goals or realistic goals? “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Sounds inspirational, right? But let’s have a closer look. 🤓 First, the logic doesn’t add up—stars are far beyond the moon....