Defense.gov News Photo 120324-M-AV740-001 by Staff Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook, U.S. Marine Corps (2012)

Power of Intrinsic Motivation

Forrest ChristianMotivation, Reviews - Books 1 Comment

It’s the problem that management wants HR to solve: how do we get these people motivated to do what we want them to do. Even then I knew the answer: the only way to make someone do something that they don’t want to do is to coerce them. You make the reason for them doing it outside them.

There are other ways, of course, but they mean reframing the problem to be sensical to the person. And you have to give them a voice in their own life. Otherwise, you end up with non-motivated workers.

Structured Process vs. Drift: A Question of Worklevel?

Forrest ChristianComputers/IT, Managing, Organizations, Reviews - Articles Leave a Comment

Claudio Ciborra, who unfortunately died too early recently, left a rich quantity and breadth of writings on information systems from a sociological perspective. Here I look at one of thisClaudio Ciborra. 2002. “Design, Kairos and Affection“. From Managing as Designing: Position Papers [?], Cleveland: Case Western Reserve University. … if speed is the main characteristic of this activity, then in …

In Which We Announce Our Return From Summer Holidays

Forrest ChristianAdmin Leave a Comment

The Manasclerk Company, hosts of this blog, took some time off (as they are wont to do) this summer to do some analysis and other business-y stuff. Good that I don’t actually make any money off of this or I would have to care. I’m just glad to have this space back. Administratively, updates have been done to the various …

Traffic signal at Tamil Nadu. (c) 2011 Thamizhpparithi Maari (CC BY SA 3.0)

Signaling, Legitimacy and Reputation: Another Problem High-Potentials Must Overcome

Forrest ChristianCareers, Underachievers 1 Comment

Everything that you do, say and show signals information about you to others. This idea of Signaling comes from zoology / biology. It’s about how a fit male peacock (for example) lets potential mates know that he has the goods, moreso than others. The signal is his extensive plumage. The trick to signaling is that it has to cost you …