M4: Motivating People

Question 1

Three key questions regarding motivation

Answer 1

Effort (I can’t do it)
Performance (If I do it I won’t get it)
Outcome (The outcome is now worth it)

Question 2

Three key elements of motivation

Answer 2

Can’t do it
Won’t get it
Isn’t worth it

Question 3

Loss aversion

Answer 3

Loss aversion is difficult to avoid in bonus-based incentive systems

partly a framing / communication problem

full information about losses and gains; emphasize gains

promote long-term perspective over short-term rationalizing

Question 4

How to increase intrinsic motivation

Answer 4

Autonomy - give team members more independence

Mastery - improve / demonstrate competence

Relatedness - feel connected to one another (relationships, responsibility, recognition)

Purpose - remind each team member of greater purpose

Question 5

Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

Answer 5

Dweck discussed a study involving 10-year-olds who faced challenging problems. Some children exhibited a growth mindset, embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, while others had a fixed mindset, seeing challenges as threats to their intelligence. This mindset difference greatly influenced their reactions to failure.

Question 6

Building a Growth Mindset

Answer 6

To cultivate a growth mindset, Dweck suggests praising effort, strategies, focus, perseverance, and improvement rather than praising intelligence or talent. A shift toward valuing the process creates resilient individuals.

Question 7

Power of “yet”

Answer 7

Dweck’s overall message is to embrace the power of “yet” and cultivate a growth mindset to lead to greater academic success and equity in education