You Oughta Know Richard M. Ryan On Business

Each month, SDT's Richard Ryan joins us for a short, targeted conversation about a specific topic within the realm of SDT. In this episode, Rich talks about the application of SDT to the context of business. 

Rich starts with the impact of pay-for-performance… especially in the realm of sales environments. Controlling pay-for-performance systems undermine intrinsic motivation. He talks about how incentive systems may affect the spirit- the morale- of the employee. One needs to consider the motivational aspects and consequences when designing reward systems. Ultimately, sales environments should take into account more than just the numbers. Relationships and other factors should matter as much, if not more.

We navigate to other areas of work and explore how one can create meaning and value for all levels of jobs. Everyone has an important task and contribution to the organization. That principle needs to be lived and communicated.

Finally, we end with Rich sharing some tactics managers should employ to support the psychological needs of team members. Rich shares one resource managers can leverage to become more effective from his own consulting company, Immersive, found here: https://immersyve.com. 

Ultimately every worker needs to feel valued and important.

Next month, we discuss SDT in the context of healthcare.

Rich Ryan is a professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at the Australian Catholic University and a research professor at the University of Rochester. He lectures frequently in the United States and abroad on Self-Determination Theory and the factors that promote motivation and healthy psychological and behavioral functioning. He is also a co-founder of Immersyve, Inc., a motivational consulting company in Orlando, FL.