Dan Pink, in his speech, argues that the model of achieving positive motivation characterized by the use of incentives needs to be updated. The speaker emphasizes that this technique works only when the employee’s tasks are minimal, which is only sometimes found in current working conditions (Pink, 2009). In other words, the researcher suggests that business managers focus on a human research strategy that relies on autonomy, skill, and purpose.
Equity theory also supports Pink’s assumptions about employee motivation. One of the similarities between theory and speech is that a person is interested in his achievements (reward and recognition) as well as the achievements of other people (Lim, 2020). There are no significant differences between the theory of justice and Pink’s speech. Researchers instead discuss different sides of the same issue. For example, equity theory focuses on the idea that employee motivation comprises their subjective attitude toward contributing to the company’s development (Lim, 2020). The assessment is also based on the management’s response and what colleagues receive for similar work. At the same time, Pink focuses on defining the importance of autonomy at work.
Based on the ideas suggested above, firms should manage people using status, wealth and power only under conditions of strictly limited tasks. Workers who follow specific instructions and do not have the need to think creatively and create something new can be motivated using such positive incentives. However, given the production automation, this activity needs to be more relevant (Lim. 2020). Considering the professional examples, the employees in the sphere of banking can be motivated by power. In contrast, vacancies such as programmers, designers, managers, and lawyers require creativity. More important is the desire to feel the contribution to the company’s performance. Thus, relying on autonomy, skill and purpose in personnel management aligns with the company’s constant development.
Through the idea that the work employees perform contributes to the larger purpose, Pink defines the essential principles of positive motivation relevant to modern professions. This statement is explicitly true because the understanding of the importance of your work is a core motivating force. I have experience working in a company where I was supposed to perform administrative functions, but in practice, I felt that my potential and skills were misused. A dialogue needed to be established with the employer despite my attempts. The motivation improvements in such cases could be achieved through the employer’s responses or explaining that the tasks I was performing were currently important.
References
Lim, W. (2014). An equity theory perspective of online group buying. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 54. Web.
Pink, D. (2009). The puzzle of motivation [Video]. TED. Web.