MODULE 3: EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT

Tangible rewards are great!

Safety rewards come in a bazillion colors, flavors, and varieties. We are all motivated by primarily two types of rewards: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic rewards are tangible and external. You can touch, eat, see, smell, or otherwise use them. Examples of extrinsic rewards:

o Money - raise, bonus, stocks ·
o Awards - plaques, pins, cups, certificates, jackets ·
o Trips ·
o Time off from work ·
o Social - parties, lunches

Intrinsic rewards may be better!

On the other hand, intrinsic rewards are intangible, internal, and housed within us. Basically they are the result of what we think about ourselves. Examples of intrinsic rewards: ·

o Improved self-esteem
o Increased sense of purpose
o Higher credibility
o Feeling of accomplishment

Now, is it the tangible reward, itself, or the underlying meaning that motivates you the most? If you're like most others, the sincere, "thanks," that rewards intrinsically is the real motivation. We like to be appreciated for what we do. It makes us feel that we are valuable, important, and a part of a team, something bigger than ourselves. All this improves what we think about ourselves.