Why 77% of employees don't go extra mile (and how to change it)

77% of employees don’t show a strong desire and commitment to go the extra mile.

So doing more of the same as a leader won’t be very effective.

Unless you focus on intrinsic motivation.

One useful approach to consider is the Self-Determination Theory (developed by psychologists Deci and Ryan).

They proposed a framework to understand how intrinsic motivation drives human behaviors. The theory suggests that people have three basic psychological needs:

• autonomy
• competence
• relatedness

When these needs are satisfied, individuals are more likely to be intrinsically motivated, engaged, and perform at their best.

To practically put SDT into action within your organization, here are some recommendations:

1. Autonomy: Offer employees choices and opportunities to make decisions related to their work. Allow them to have a say in goal-setting, task allocation, and the way they approach their responsibilities. Encourage open communication and actively listen to their input and ideas.
2. Competence: Foster a supportive environment that promotes growth and development. Offer training programs, provide constructive feedback, and create opportunities for employees to enhance their skills and knowledge. Recognize and celebrate their achievements to boost their confidence and sense of competence.
3. Relatedness: Encourage a sense of belonging and connectedness within the organization. Foster positive relationships among team members and across different departments. Promote collaboration, and teamwork, and create opportunities for social interaction. Encourage mentoring and coaching relationships to facilitate a supportive network.

Engagement is not something you can buy. It’s not a negotiation.

Engagement is the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and in your company.

It’s the leader’s responsibility to make this happen.

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