According to RSA’s Dan Pink in Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us, employees want 3 things:
- Autonomy (self-direction)
- Mastery (we like to get good at things)
- Purpose (a grand ideal)
If this is true (and according to Dan, it is science), then the worst thing a manager can do for his team is to require too much of them in too little time. Doing so would prevent them from self-directing their work since there is not time for their desires. It would also prevent them from ever achieving mastery because they would have to quickly move from one project to the next.
I believe that a better approach is to make the purpose (that grand ideal of the company), crystal clear. Then choose a few 6 month goals and set the team loose. The end result is what matters, not the means to get there. Taking this approach allows team members the opportunity for discovery and autonomy. Allowing them enough time to do it right allows them the opportunity for mastery.
I deeply agree with Dan’s findings. I know they are true for me in the work place. What do you think?