HBR.

ORG

The Problem of Forced Fun

Blog post by Grant McCracken, January

Commenting on the zany culture at Zappos, where visitors are welcomed by cowbells, McCracken says, Call me a Grinch, but commandeering personal emotions in the interest of forced conviviality seems to me wrong. I believe emotions are mostly a private matter and should not be controlled by the corporation.
It feels heretical to say that I agree with everything in this article. But I do. I believe that work is a place where we have to put on our best face. I believe leaders need to inspire and that is best done by being positive. But I dont believe in forced or inauthentic corporate culture. Forced corporate cheer is not the only path to great customer experiences. Employees who are condent and empowered and feel valued will provide great customer experiences. Without cowbells.
Posted by Anna Talerico, Executive VicePresident, Ion Interactive

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ADVANCED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM > June 6July 9, 2010 > October 3November 5, 2010 MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS > June 1318, 2010
> January 2328, 2011

What Really Motivates Workers

HBR Breakthrough Idea by Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer, JanuaryFebruary

The top motivator of employee performance isnt recognition; its progress, a recent survey by Amabile and Kramer shows.
I was disappointed by your Breakthrough Idea What Really Motivates Workers. Repeating Frederick Herzbergs seminal observations from last century and only renaming achievement as progress and employees as workers hardly counts as a breakthrough. It was good to see that the recent studies reinforced Herzbergs earlier work, but could not credit have been given to the Father of Motivation?
Robin Humphreys, Managing Director, MFS Partnership

STRATEGIC THINKING AND MANAGEMENT FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE > June 2125, 2010 > September 1317, 2010 CREATING VALUE THROUGH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT > July 1923, 2010 > February 2125, 2011 NEW! HIGH-IMPACT MARKETING: PROFITING FROM NEW MEDIA > October 1113, 2010

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