Gamification is being tossed around as the latest fad. We see badges and leaderboards popping up all over the place. But does gamification belong in a recognition program? The latest Globoforce Mood Tracker report shares some insight on why employees believe leaderboards and badges cheapen the recognition experience.
10. SPRING 2014 REPORT
ADAPTING TO THE REALITIES
OF OUR CHANGING WORKFORCE
RESEARCHREPORT
In the Globoforce Spring 2014
Workforce Moodtracker,
we asked American workers if
they thought recognition should
include gamification.
They overwhelmingly
said “No Way!”
11. “Do you feel that gamification
would be a positive addition to
your recognition program?”
70% NO
30% YES
12. We asked if a recognition
leaderboard would motivate
them to recognize more.
They said “Nope!”
13. “Would you work harder if the
number of recognitions given
or received was ranked in a
leaderboard type format?”
79% NO
21% YES
14. We asked if gamified recognition
was less meaningful to them.
They said “Absolutely!”
15. “Would getting recognized mean
less to you if you knew someone
got points on a leaderboard, or a
badge for giving that recognition?”
62% YES
32% NO
16. We asked what DID motivate
them to recognize.
TOP THREE MOTIVATINGREASONS FOR GIVING RECOGNITION TO OTHERS
76%THANKING A
COLLEAGUE FOR
GOING ABOVE
AND BEYOND
74%MAKING A
COLLEAGUE
FEEL GOOD OR
APPRECIATED
53%REINFORCING
BEHAVIOR THAT
BENEFITS THE
COMPANY
18. Gamification introduces
an artificial set of goals
into the program.
It shifts the focus
from the recipient
of recognition to
the nominator.The data from
recognition becomes
about competition
rather than a reflection
of employee values-
based behavior. It motivates people
to recognize for the
wrong reasons.