The key to high performance isn’t just about financial incentives – it’s about creating a corporate culture that fosters intrinsic motivation. We’ve taken the principles outlined in Daniel Pink’s TED talk, “The Puzzle of Motivation,” and put them into practice, with remarkable results.

In his TED talk “The Puzzle of Motivation,” Daniel Pink challenges the traditional notion that external rewards and punishments effectively motivate people, arguing instead that intrinsic motivation – the desire to do something because it is inherently interesting, challenging, and rewarding – is a far more powerful driver of high performance and creativity. Pink draws on scientific research to show that financial incentives can undermine motivation for tasks requiring cognitive skill and creativity, concluding that fostering autonomy, mastery, and purpose is key to unlocking human potential.

At ICS, one of our core values is “Excellence,” which means
1. Be so unusually great that you stand out
2. Under promise, over deliver, on time and under budget.
3. Be a continuous learner

Being continuous learners aligns perfectly with Pink’s concept of “Mastery” – the desire to get better and better at something that matters. We support this through ICS University, our online learning platform that offers 17,000+ courses to all of our employees at no charge. By investing in our employees’ growth and development, we’ve seen new leaders emerge and innovative solutions to problems.

We also promote autonomy through the use of our Accountability Chart, which clearly defines functions and roles. This gives our employees the freedom to direct their own work and focus on their areas of expertise. We encourage delegation of non-core functions, so everyone can concentrate on what they do best. The result? Increased engagement, creativity, and ownership.

At ICS, we don’t just talk about purpose – we live it. Our purpose is to be the company everyone wants to work for, do business with, and own. We continuously reinforce this message, helping our employees understand how their work contributes to this larger goal. When people feel that their job has meaning and purpose, they are more likely to go above and beyond.

Since focusing on intrinsic motivation, we’ve seen tangible benefits: high engagement, decreased turnover, innovative problem-solving, and the emergence of new leaders. It has become crystal clear to us that creating an environment that supports autonomy, mastery, and purpose unlocks full potential of your team.