The Science of Motivation: Why Money Isn’t Enough

When we think about motivation, it’s tempting to default to financial bonuses, perks or performance ratings.
But here’s what the science — and most people’s lived experience — tells us:

Traditional incentives can grab attention, but they rarely sustain real performance.

In fact, a recent study of high-performing teams revealed something quietly radical: the behaviours that set these teams apart had nothing to do with money.

So what did they do differently?

• They picked up the phone more often - crucial in hybrid work environments.

• They were generous with appreciation.

• They bonded over non-work topics.

• They brought more authenticity - even expressing frustration or humour safely.

• They ran meetings with clear intent and structure.

Every one of these performance-driving behaviours was built on psychological safety, human connection, and clarity — not KPIs, bonuses or relentless pressure.

That’s the real science of motivation: people perform better when they feel safe, valued and connected to purpose.

So, as you head into your next team meeting or performance review, here’s a question to play with:

👉 What’s the most meaningful thing this person wants from their work and am I helping them move closer to it?

You might be surprised at just how motivating that lens can be.