Financial investment seeks returns; emotional investment seeks contribution.

Here is one quote, one question and one idea to contemplate.

"When people are financially invested, they want returns. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute."

- Simon Sinek

Today, how could you let your team know what they do matters?

We might assume that offering more money increases someone’s sense of obligation to contribute and engage more. However, what can happen is that people begin to expect more in return. Their pay can start to define their value. However, when someone feels understood for who they are and what they offer, their emotional investment grows. This sense of appreciation leads to stronger commitment and more engagement. Acknowledging their efforts, even in small ways, and showing genuine appreciation for how they show up sends the signal that what they do matters.

When I’m working with teams and leaders, it is the small interpersonal exchanges that add up to big contributions. When someone knows they are making a difference it becomes easier to go the extra mile. Consider what you might offer to boost someone’s emotional investment. If you’d like some ideas, let me know. I’d love to explore this with you.

Until next time,

Maria

P.S. If this has been helpful, then feel free to pass it along to someone else who might enjoy it too.

We are getting a series of workshops ready to help advance engagement and cultivate understanding in organizations. If you are interested in learning more, send me an email and I’ll be sure to get the details to you.

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Coming Soon!

The Understood Mini-Series. A group of short videos on cultivating the understood mindset and advancing engagement at work.