Extrinsic & Intrinsic Motivation

What is the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation? Provide examples from your work setting of each type of reward.

Extrinsic motivation comes from a sense of recognition or compensation for a job done. Many times the motivation is from an award or bonus for employees but for many organizations the most recognized form of extrinsic motivation is that of wages paid. For my work situation the extrinsic motivator is recognized through the wages paid for hours worked. In my organization the motivation is not dependent on extrinsic motivators but more on the intrinsic motivators that drive us to get the job done.

Intrinsic motivators are those that come from a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that you have made a difference, or a deeper meaning behind the work. For my organization if not for the need to earn a living many of us would volunteer to do the jobs we do because of the intrinsic motivators that keep us striving for more. I enjoy working in an environment where I know the work I do is having an impact on the live of those we serve. When a member or parent goes out of their way to say thank you for the job you do it makes it worth while to keep on moving.