Motivate or punish?

[ScarletBlueGold]

So, I'm getting my Masters degree in Organizational Behavior with a focus specifically on "motivation".

There was this wonderful study (I'll post it if I can find it - for now though I will just paraphrase it). Where they found people working for a company that manufactured steel components to large scale vehicles and sea-craft. One of the most tedious and difficult jobs in the plant was "pre-production". Basically people who's responsibility it was to either tighten thousands of bolts a day or move large sheets of metal from one side of the warehouse to another.

So the experiment began:

1. The first group was given various criteria on which their efficiency would be tested. They were told that if the performance indicators revealed an increase in productivity they would receive cash bonuses. They were also told that anyone who failed to meet minimum expectations would immediately lose the free lunch that the factory provided.

2. The second group was treated very differently. No punishments or rewards, but instead they informed the pre-production workers on exactly what part of each vehicle they were working on was. Many had never known what exactly their work was, and others were surprised to see how important their job was to the successful completion of each project. Factory workers from other parts of the line came and thanked the pre-production workers for their work, and let them know how much they appreciated the quality jobs they did. Also, several factory managers invited the pre-production workers into a special meeting with high level executives and asked for advice on how to make the production process easier and more efficient. After the meeting was over the upper-level managers thanked the workers and encouraged them to call if they had any more ideas about making the production process easier.

The end result? The first group almost all received the bonuses. However they're overall production level decreased over time. As they frantically worked to try and make their performance indicators as inflated as possible they managed to cut many corners and ultimately deliver mediocre work. Also, many workers demanded increased bonuses as time passed.

The second group finished with outstanding results producing almost twice what the first group did. New ideas circulated, and many workers were promoted from within the company.

Not only that, but when surveyed, the second group reported significantly higher job satisfaction scores, and experienced much less turnover. Best of all? Almost no money was spent on the second group.

Try to think of this when you are working on ways to motivate your brothers. Educate them on your Fraternity's goals, ask them what they think the Fraternity should be doing, and try to work with them to make the Fraternity better in their way (I guarantee they will start wanting to return the favor). You'd be surprised how many of your brothers will appreciate you asking them for their advice.