Video on Marginal Difference

The Message

Motivation is what drives people to do their best, instead of doing the bare minimum. 

Lessons Learned

The main goal is to obtain control and power over the way we think.  Described in the video are certain attitudes assumed by members of organizations.  They are what is "good enough" and what is "inspired".  "Good enough" attitudes create stagnate work environments and negative outcomes toward innovation.  Maybe organizations can get by through this train of thinking, but they will never grow beyond it.  "Inspired" attitudes create an elevated work environment and positive outcomes toward progressive thinking.  When an organization is collectively joined in this thinking, they will have advantages over other firms.  The margin of difference between both attitudes, most of time is narrow, but can make a large difference in an organizations progress.  There are 5 specific areas in which an organization can obtain the margin of difference.  They are through social networks, social capital, conversations, engagement process and individual thinking.

Social networks are the platforms for sharing knowledge between people.  Anyone who has a stake in the firm is connected to this platform.  When there are problems, most people within a firm go to the social network to find information on solving it.  If social networks are "inspired", then operations run smoother because information flows easily and is accessible.

Social capital refers to the pool of great rapport between individuals within a company.  If the aspects of trust and respect are amongst co-workers, than the relationship between employees are enhanced.  Conversations are also important to achieving "inspired" status of an organizations' performance.  This ties into building social capital amongst each other.  If there is harmony between employees, than the conversations that are built upon their experiences in working together, create synergy within the organization. 

The engagement process has to do with the scenarios of learning, working together, and accomplishing goals.  Engagement is the way interact with each other.  It can either produce a positive outcome or a negative outcome.  If the goal is understood, than the engagement process can bring out the best in each employee.

Individual thinking is building block of all the other areas of obtaining the margin of difference.  It is up to the individual to make a decision as to how they will cope with the forces of collaboration in a positive way or a negative way.  Empowerment of the individual's thinking is what creates this understanding of striving for the best instead of what is accepted.  Positive energy is contagious.  Making a decision every day to remain positive is a great step in changing your attitude and affecting other people in the right way.