Gamification: Achievement Vs. Power in Productivity (Explained)

Discover the surprising difference between achievement and power in productivity through the use of gamification.

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Define the goal	The goal of gamification is to increase productivity by motivating employees through game-like elements such as rewards, progress tracking, and competition.	The risk of focusing solely on gamification is that it may not address underlying issues such as poor management or lack of resources.
2	Choose the right elements	Power and achievement are two key elements of gamification that can be used to motivate employees. Power refers to the ability to control or influence others, while achievement refers to the sense of accomplishment from completing a task.	The risk of using power as a motivator is that it can create a toxic work environment and lead to unethical behavior.
3	Create a feedback loop	A feedback loop is essential for gamification to be effective. It allows employees to see their progress and receive feedback on their performance.	The risk of not providing enough feedback is that employees may lose interest or become demotivated.
4	Offer incentives	Incentives such as bonuses, promotions, or recognition can be used to motivate employees. However, it is important to ensure that the incentives are meaningful and aligned with the company’s goals.	The risk of offering incentives is that employees may become too focused on the reward and lose sight of the bigger picture.
5	Foster engagement	Engagement is key to the success of gamification. Employees should feel invested in the process and have a sense of ownership over their work.	The risk of not fostering engagement is that employees may feel like they are being forced to participate in a game rather than being motivated to improve their performance.
6	Monitor progress	Progress tracking is a crucial element of gamification. It allows employees to see how far they have come and what they need to do to reach their goals.	The risk of not monitoring progress is that employees may lose sight of their goals and become demotivated.
7	Balance competition	Competition can be a powerful motivator, but it is important to balance it with collaboration and teamwork.	The risk of too much competition is that it can create a cut-throat work environment and lead to resentment among employees.

Overall, gamification can be an effective tool for increasing productivity, but it is important to use the right elements and balance them appropriately. Power and achievement can be powerful motivators, but they should be used in conjunction with feedback loops, incentives, engagement, progress tracking, and balanced competition. By taking these steps, companies can create a gamification strategy that motivates employees and improves overall performance.

Contents

1. How does Power impact Productivity in Gamification?
2. The Role of Competition in Driving Productivity through Gamification
3. Incentives and Progress Tracking: Boosting Performance with Gamification Techniques
4. Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

How does Power impact Productivity in Gamification?

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Understand power dynamics in gamification	Power dynamics refer to the relationships between individuals or groups that involve the use of power to influence behavior. In gamification, power can be used to motivate individuals to increase productivity.	The use of power can lead to negative consequences such as resentment and decreased motivation.
2	Identify motivation factors	Motivation refers to the driving force behind behavior. In gamification, motivation can be extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards such as prizes or recognition, while intrinsic motivation is driven by internal factors such as personal satisfaction.	Over-reliance on extrinsic motivation can lead to decreased intrinsic motivation and burnout.
3	Determine appropriate rewards and incentives	Rewards and incentives are used to motivate individuals to achieve specific goals. In gamification, rewards can be tangible or intangible, and can be used to reinforce positive behavior.	Over-reliance on rewards can lead to decreased motivation and a focus on short-term goals rather than long-term success.
4	Consider competition and collaboration	Competition and collaboration are two approaches to gamification that can impact productivity. Competition can motivate individuals to work harder to achieve a goal, while collaboration can foster teamwork and cooperation.	Over-emphasis on competition can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased collaboration and increased stress.
5	Implement feedback loops	Feedback loops are used to provide individuals with information about their progress towards a goal. In gamification, feedback can be used to motivate individuals to continue working towards a goal.	Poorly designed feedback loops can lead to confusion and decreased motivation.
6	Apply goal-setting theory and self-determination theory	Goal-setting theory suggests that setting specific, challenging goals can increase motivation and productivity. Self-determination theory suggests that individuals are more motivated when they feel a sense of autonomy and control over their work.	Over-emphasis on goal-setting can lead to a focus on quantity over quality, while over-emphasis on autonomy can lead to decreased collaboration and accountability.
7	Consider social comparison theory	Social comparison theory suggests that individuals compare themselves to others to evaluate their own performance. In gamification, social comparison can be used to motivate individuals to work harder to achieve a goal.	Over-emphasis on social comparison can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased self-esteem and increased stress.
8	Use positive reinforcement	Positive reinforcement involves rewarding positive behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. In gamification, positive reinforcement can be used to motivate individuals to continue working towards a goal.	Over-reliance on positive reinforcement can lead to decreased motivation and a focus on short-term goals rather than long-term success.
9	Avoid negative reinforcement	Negative reinforcement involves punishing negative behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. In gamification, negative reinforcement can be used to discourage negative behavior.	Over-reliance on negative reinforcement can lead to decreased motivation and a focus on avoiding punishment rather than achieving success.

The Role of Competition in Driving Productivity through Gamification

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Define competition in gamification	Competition in gamification refers to the use of challenges, leaderboards, and points systems to motivate individuals to perform better and achieve their goals.	The risk of creating a toxic work environment where employees become too focused on winning and lose sight of the bigger picture.
2	Identify the benefits of competition in gamification	Competition can increase motivation, engagement, and productivity by providing clear goals, feedback, and rewards. It can also foster team building and social recognition.	The risk of creating a culture of individualism where employees prioritize their own success over the success of the team or company.
3	Discuss the role of leaderboards in driving productivity	Leaderboards can create a sense of urgency and healthy competition among employees. They can also provide visibility into individual and team performance, which can help identify areas for improvement.	The risk of creating a demotivating environment where employees feel discouraged by their low ranking on the leaderboard.
4	Explain the importance of feedback in competition-based gamification	Feedback is essential in competition-based gamification because it helps individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for improvement. It can also provide a sense of progress and accomplishment.	The risk of providing feedback that is too critical or demotivating, which can lead to a decrease in productivity and engagement.
5	Discuss the use of challenges and badges in competition-based gamification	Challenges and badges can provide a sense of accomplishment and recognition for completing specific tasks or achieving certain milestones. They can also encourage individuals to push themselves beyond their comfort zone.	The risk of creating challenges that are too difficult or unrealistic, which can lead to frustration and demotivation.
6	Highlight the potential drawbacks of competition-based gamification	Competition-based gamification can create a culture of individualism, where employees prioritize their own success over the success of the team or company. It can also lead to a demotivating environment where employees feel discouraged by their low ranking on the leaderboard.	The risk of creating a toxic work environment where employees become too focused on winning and lose sight of the bigger picture.
7	Discuss the importance of balancing competition and collaboration in gamification	Balancing competition and collaboration is essential in gamification because it can foster a sense of teamwork and encourage individuals to work together towards a common goal. It can also create a healthy competitive environment where employees are motivated to perform better while still supporting each other.	The risk of creating a culture that is too focused on collaboration, which can lead to a lack of accountability and individual responsibility.

Incentives and Progress Tracking: Boosting Performance with Gamification Techniques

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Identify the desired behavior to incentivize	The first step in using gamification techniques to boost performance is to identify the specific behavior that needs to be incentivized. This could be anything from completing a task on time to increasing sales numbers.	Risk of focusing on the wrong behavior, leading to decreased motivation and engagement.
2	Set clear goals and metrics	Once the desired behavior has been identified, set clear goals and metrics to track progress. This could include setting a specific sales target or a deadline for completing a task.	Risk of setting unrealistic goals, leading to frustration and decreased motivation.
3	Implement a points system	A points system can be used to track progress and incentivize employees to reach their goals. Points can be awarded for completing tasks, meeting deadlines, or achieving specific metrics.	Risk of employees focusing solely on earning points rather than the desired behavior, leading to decreased performance.
4	Use badges and leaderboards for social recognition	Badges and leaderboards can be used to recognize and reward employees for their achievements. This can create a sense of competition and motivate employees to perform better.	Risk of creating a toxic competitive environment, leading to decreased collaboration and teamwork.
5	Provide feedback loops	Feedback loops can be used to provide employees with real-time feedback on their performance. This can help them identify areas for improvement and stay motivated to reach their goals.	Risk of providing negative feedback without offering solutions for improvement, leading to decreased motivation and engagement.
6	Incorporate gamified learning	Gamified learning can be used to train employees on new skills and knowledge. This can increase engagement and motivation while also improving performance.	Risk of focusing too much on the game aspect rather than the learning aspect, leading to decreased retention of information.
7	Offer rewards	Rewards can be used to incentivize employees to reach their goals. This could include anything from a gift card to a day off.	Risk of offering rewards that are not meaningful or desirable to employees, leading to decreased motivation.
8	Continuously evaluate and adjust	It is important to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the gamification techniques and adjust as needed. This can help ensure that the desired behavior is being incentivized and that employees are staying motivated and engaged.	Risk of not evaluating and adjusting, leading to decreased effectiveness over time.

Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

Mistake/Misconception	Correct Viewpoint
Gamification is only about rewards and badges.	While rewards and badges are common elements of gamification, they are not the only ones. Gamification can also involve challenges, competition, feedback, progress tracking, social interaction, and other game-like features that motivate people to engage in productive activities. The key is to design a gamified system that aligns with the users’ goals and interests while providing meaningful feedback on their performance.
Gamification is manipulative or coercive.	Gamification should not be used as a tool for manipulation or coercion but rather as a way to enhance intrinsic motivation by tapping into people’s natural desire for autonomy, mastery, and purpose. A well-designed gamified system should provide users with choices and control over their actions while promoting positive behaviors that benefit both themselves and others. It should also respect users’ privacy rights and avoid collecting unnecessary data or using it for unethical purposes such as profiling or discrimination.
Achievement-oriented gamification is better than power-oriented gamification.	Both achievement-oriented (e.g., earning points or completing tasks) and power-oriented (e.g., gaining influence or status) gamification can be effective depending on the context and user preferences. Some people may be more motivated by achieving concrete goals while others may value social recognition or leadership opportunities more highly. Therefore, it’s important to tailor the gamified experience to different user segments based on their needs, personality traits, demographics, etc., rather than assuming one size fits all approach will work best for everyone.
Gamifying everything leads to burnout.	Over-gamifying every aspect of life could lead individuals towards burnout because it creates an environment where there’s no escape from constant pressure of performing at peak levels all the time which ultimately results in exhaustion & stress . However ,gamifying certain aspects of life like fitness routines, work tasks or learning activities can be beneficial as it provides a sense of accomplishment and progress which in turn motivates individuals to continue with the activity. It’s important to strike a balance between gamification and non-gamified activities so that users don’t feel overwhelmed or bored.