 smaller levels of extrinsic reward, but because they have control over their lives, and they can do the things that matter, like spending time volunteering in their local communities, or honing their skills. We know instinctively that these things are important, and science backs us. Businesses are increasingly realising that this is the case. People can be trusted to work even when they’re not sitting at a desk right in front of their managers, and productivity improves when you give them more freedom and autonomy. And with many companies increasingly using a flexible workforce that’s not technically ‘employed’, this is set to continue. It’s a win-win situation.
Image credit: Sand patterns by Royce Bair