Question

Describe the characteristics of performance-driven team. Describe the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and explain why it is important in understanding the types of motivation when it comes to team performance.

Answer 1

Ans) Different characteristics have been used to describe high-performance teams. Despite varying approaches to describing high-performance teams there is a set of common characteristics that are recognised to lead to success. They are:

1) Participative leadership – using a democratic leadership style that involves and engages team members.

2) Effective decision-making – using a blend of rational and intuitive decision making methods, depending on that nature of the decision task.

3) Open and clear communication – ensuring that the team mutually constructs shared meaning, using effective communication methods and channels.

4) Valued diversity – valuing a diversity of experience and background in team, contributing to a diversity of viewpoints, leading to better decision making and solutions.

5) Mutual trust – trusting in other team members and trusting in the team as an entity.
6) Managing conflict – dealing with conflict openly and transparently and not allowing grudges to build up and destroy team morale.

7) Clear goals – goals that are developed using SMART criteria; also each goal must have personal meaning and resonance for each team member, building commitment and engagement.
8) Defined roles and responsibilities – each team member understands what they must do (and what they must not do) to demonstrate their commitment to the team and to support team success.

9) Coordinative relationship – the bonds between the team members allow them to seamlessly coordinate their work to achieve both efficiency and effectiveness.

10) Positive atmosphere – an overall team culture that is open, transparent, positive, future-focused and able to deliver success.

Intrinsic motivation involves doing something because it's personally rewarding to you. Extrinsic motivation involves doing something because you want to earn a reward or avoid punishment.

At first glance, it might seem like it's better to be intrinsically motivated than extrinsically motivated.

But, we don't live in such a motivation-Utopia, and being extrinsically motivated doesn't mean anything bad -- extrinsic motivation is just the nature of being a human being sometimes.

If you have a job, and you have to complete a project, you're probably extrinsically motivated -- by your manager's praise or a potential raise or commission -- even if you enjoy the project while you're doing it. If you're in school, you're extrinsically motivated to learn a foreign language because you're being graded on it -- even if you enjoy practicing and studying it.

So, intrinsic motivation is good, and extrinsic motivation is good. The key is to figure out why you -- and your team -- are motivated to do things, and encouraging both types of motivation.

There are several reasons why employee motivation is important.

• Mainly because it allows management to meet the company’s goals. Without a motivated workplace, companies could be placed in a very risky position.

• Motivated employees can lead to increased productivity and allow an organisation to achieve higher levels of output.

Eg: Imagine having an employee who is not motivated at work. They will probably use the time at their desk surfing the internet for personal pleasure or even looking for another job. This is a waste of your time and resources.