The Power of Play

CHAPTER 15LEVEL 2 SKILLS: TESTING

To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist.

—Gail Sheehy, author¹

In our journey to understand the connection between games and intrinsic motivation, we unlock insights into the potential drivers that lie within individuals by testing. These motivations provide a glimpse into their future success in a role. By examining the games individuals play and the reasons they find them exciting, we can uncover their dominant intrinsic motivation and identify their natural drivers.

To apply this understanding to the realm of work, we begin by mapping work tasks to the natural motivations that already exist within those jobs. This alignment ensures a harmonious fit between individuals' intrinsic motivations and the work they engage in. Furthermore, we introduce autonomy within work, allowing team members to select tasks that genuinely interest them rather than forcing them into predefined roles. This empowerment enhances engagement and taps into individuals' natural drivers.

To map out natural motivations that already exist within jobs, we first break down jobs into major tasks that most of the work entails. We then follow that up by identifying the best fit category for each of major tasks:

• Category 1: Curiosity, Learning, and Innovation. Task attributes: Research, experimentation, development of new ideas, exploration of new technologies, continuous improvement.
• Category 2: Achievement, Competence, and Mastery. Task attributes: ...