Episode 8
The Power of Recognition: What Wikipedia Editors Can Teach Us About Motivation
Recognition plays a crucial role in motivating individuals, as highlighted in this podcast episode that explores the dynamics of Wikipedia editors. Researchers discovered that a simple symbolic award could lead to a 20% increase in the retention of new editors, demonstrating the power of acknowledgment in fostering engagement and commitment. The discussion delves into the underlying reasons for this effect, such as social identification, status, and the feeling of being valued. Listeners are encouraged to apply these insights to their personal and professional lives by implementing self-recognition and seeking support from others. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the profound impact of feeling appreciated, not just on individual motivation, but also on creating a culture of gratitude that can inspire collective contributions to society.
Paper Referenced:
Jana Gallus (2016) Fostering Public Good Contributions with Symbolic Awards: A Large-Scale Natural Field Experiment at Wikipedia. Management Science 63(12):3999-4015.
Link - https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2540
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Transcript
Hi, all.
Parv:Welcome to this audio project where we decode the science of human behavior with a twist.
Parv:I'm Parv, and this podcast brings to you AI generated conversations that simplify complex hidden patterns that shape our decisions, emotions, and actions.
Parv:A while ago, I started using NotebookLM to help me translate academic research that talked about hidden internal patterns that make us us.
Parv:So let's dive in and uncover the unique algorithm that makes you you.
Speaker B:Welcome to the deep dive.
Speaker B:Ready for this?
Speaker B:We're about to take something you might think is, like, totally unrelated to your life and turn it into a strategy for crushing your goals.
Speaker C:Sounds intriguing.
Speaker B:Get this.
Speaker B:We're talking about Wikipedia editors.
Speaker B:You know, those folks who spend their time updating that online encyclopedia.
Speaker C:Oh, okay, I see where this is going.
Speaker B:Specifically, we're diving into research on what keeps those editors motivated.
Speaker B:I know, I know it sounds a little random.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker B:But trust me on this.
Speaker B:There's some real gold in this research that can help you reach your own finish line, whatever that might be for you.
Speaker C:I'm all ears.
Speaker B:All right, so.
Speaker B:All right, so imagine this Wikipedia, this massive online encyclopedia written entirely by volunteers, right?
Speaker C:Incredible project, really.
Speaker B:Exactly.
Speaker B:But here's the thing.
Speaker B:They face a challenge keeping those volunteers, especially newcomers, engaged.
Speaker B:It's tough, you know?
Speaker C:Well, yeah, I mean, you start contributing and you're like, one of millions, right?
Speaker B:Exactly.
Speaker B:You can feel lost in the crowd pretty easily.
Speaker B:Oh, your expert today can tell us more about this challenge.
Speaker C:So picture this.
Speaker C:You're a brand new editor, excited, ready to contribute to this amazing project.
Speaker B:Yeah, you're pumped, right?
Speaker C:But it's such a huge platform.
Speaker C:So easy to feel like your contributions are just, you know, a drop in the ocean.
Speaker B:Yeah, that initial enthusiasm can fade fast.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:And that's what the researchers found, especially on the German version of Wikipedia.
Speaker C:They were struggling to keep those new editors around.
Speaker B:Makes sense.
Speaker B:So what did they do about it?
Speaker B:Do they offer, like, bonuses, Paid vacations?
Speaker B:I'm picturing, like, a Wikipedia editor retreat on a tropical island.
Speaker B:Huh.
Speaker C:Nothing quite that fancy.
Speaker C:They decided to test out something much simpler.
Speaker C:A symbolic award.
Speaker B:Huh.
Speaker B:Interesting.
Speaker C:Yeah, they called it the Edelweiss with star.
Speaker C:And each month, they randomly gave it to a bunch of new editors.
Speaker B:Hold on.
Speaker B:Randomly?
Speaker B:So they weren't picking the best editors or anything?
Speaker C:Nope.
Speaker C:And that's actually the really important part here.
Speaker B:Okay, I'm curious.
Speaker B:Tell me more.
Speaker C:It's like a science experiment, right?
Speaker C:They wanted to isolate one variable, in this case, recognition, to see how much of an impact it had all by itself.
Speaker C:No fancy prices, just A little virtual pat on the back.
Speaker B:So did it work?
Speaker B:Did this little digital badge actually make a difference?
Speaker C:The results were pretty amazing.
Speaker C:Just getting this little award led to a 20% increase in editors who stayed active on Wikipedia.
Speaker B:Wow.
Speaker B:A 20% increase.
Speaker B:That's huge.
Speaker C:It is.
Speaker C:And here's the thing.
Speaker C:The impact wasn't just a temporary boost.
Speaker B:Oh, really?
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:These editors were still more likely to be contributing even a year later.
Speaker B:A year later?
Speaker B:That's wild.
Speaker B:So a little recognition can really have a lasting effect.
Speaker B:What's going on there?
Speaker B:Why is just being recognized such a big deal?
Speaker C:Well, the study dug into a few key reasons.
Speaker C:One is this idea of social identification.
Speaker B:Okay, break that down for me.
Speaker C:Well, the editors who got the award, they were more likely to start doing those behind the scenes tasks on Wikipedia.
Speaker B:The less glamorous stuff.
Speaker C:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker C:Which suggests they felt a stronger sense of belonging to the Wikipedia community.
Speaker C:It's kind of like, you know, when you put on your favorite team's jersey.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:You're part of the team.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:You suddenly feel like you're part of something bigger.
Speaker B:So it's not just about the award itself, it's about what it represents.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:Acceptance.
Speaker C:Being part of a group working towards a shared goal.
Speaker B:I like that.
Speaker B:What else did they find?
Speaker C:Another factor was, well, status and reputation.
Speaker B:Even on Wikipedia.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:Even in this anonymous online world.
Speaker C:Some editors actually started putting the award on their user profile like a badge of honor.
Speaker B:Oh, that's cool.
Speaker C:Yeah, it shows how we all, even anonymously online, crave that recognition, that validation.
Speaker C:We want to know that our efforts are being seen and valued.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:I think everyone can relate to that.
Speaker C:Yeah, it's a powerful thing.
Speaker C:You know, feeling seen and acknowledged for.
Speaker B:What you're doing makes a big difference, for sure.
Speaker C:Huge.
Speaker C:And that actually ties into another important thing the researchers found.
Speaker C:Recognition itself.
Speaker B:Okay, so not just the belonging or the status, but the actual recognition.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:Many of the editors who received the award said they felt valued, appreciated, and some even felt inspired to tackle bigger, more challenging projects.
Speaker B:I can totally see that.
Speaker B:Like a little thank you can really light a fire under you.
Speaker C:Absolutely.
Speaker C:Like someone shining a spotlight on your work, saying, hey, we see you.
Speaker C:We appreciate what you're doing.
Speaker B:Exactly.
Speaker B:And the study found one more interesting factor.
Speaker B:This idea of evaluation potential.
Speaker C:Oh, yeah, that one's fascinating.
Speaker B:So Wikipedia, it's this massive, massive project.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:But even in that huge space, knowing that someone was paying attention to their contributions made those editors feel like their work mattered.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:Like having someone looking over your shoulder.
Speaker B:Well, not exactly.
Speaker B:Looking over your shoulder?
Speaker C:More like having a built in accountability partner.
Speaker C:Even if it's just a virtual award, it's a reminder that someone is noticing your efforts.
Speaker B:I'm starting to see how all this could apply to like my own goals, you know, But I bet our listeners thinking, so what?
Speaker B:How do I actually use this to get things done?
Speaker C:That's the million dollar question.
Speaker C:And the good news is you don't need to create some elaborate award system or wait around for someone to give you a pat on the back.
Speaker B:So what do we do then?
Speaker C:Remember, the key here is recognition.
Speaker C:Right?
Speaker C:And there are two sides to that.
Speaker C:Recognizing yourself and seeking recognition from others.
Speaker B:Okay, two sides.
Speaker B:I like it.
Speaker B:How do we start with recognizing ourselves?
Speaker B:What does that even look like?
Speaker C:It can be super simple.
Speaker C:Set a small goal for the day and then take a moment to acknowledge yourself when you achieve it.
Speaker B:Oh, I like that.
Speaker B:Like a little victory lap.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:A mini celebration.
Speaker C:A mental high five for getting it done.
Speaker C:Instead of dwelling on what you haven't accomplished yet, you're taking a moment to appreciate the progress you've made.
Speaker C:Even the small wins.
Speaker B:Love it.
Speaker B:But what about those like bigger, more daunting goals?
Speaker B:Those can feel so overwhelming.
Speaker B:Even with self recognition.
Speaker C:That's where the other side comes in.
Speaker C:Seeking recognition from others.
Speaker B:Okay, so bringing in some backup.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:For those bigger goals, it can be helpful to share them with someone you trust.
Speaker C:A friend, a family member, a mentor.
Speaker B:Someone who can cheer you on.
Speaker C:Yeah, someone who can offer support and encouragement along the way.
Speaker B:Like your personal cheering section.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:And remember, recognition doesn't have to be this big grand gesture.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:It doesn't need to be over the top.
Speaker C:A simple well done or I'm proud of you can make a world of difference.
Speaker B:Or even just like a knowing nod, you know?
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:Sometimes just knowing that someone believes in you can be the fuel you need to keep going.
Speaker B:All right, so we've got self recognition and support from others.
Speaker B:What else can we do to like really harness this power of recognition and achieve those big goals?
Speaker C:Alright, time to get practical.
Speaker C:Think about building recognition moments into your routine.
Speaker B:Ooh, recognition moments.
Speaker B:I like that.
Speaker B:What do those look like?
Speaker C:Let's say you're working on a big project.
Speaker C:Break it down into smaller milestones, and then when you reach each one, reward yourself.
Speaker B:Like a little treat.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:Could be something simple.
Speaker C:A relaxing bath, your favorite takeout.
Speaker C:Anything that feels like a reward.
Speaker B:It doesn't have to involve spending money either, right?
Speaker C:Nope.
Speaker C:Maybe it's taking a break to do something you enjoy reading A chapter of your favorite book, going for a walk.
Speaker C:Whatever works for you.
Speaker B:It's like creating your own personalized reward system.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:You're recognizing your efforts, giving yourself permission to celebrate those small victories.
Speaker C:Remember, all those small wins add up to the big picture.
Speaker B:This is all great for, like, personal goals, but what about those of us who work on a team?
Speaker B:Can we use this at work too?
Speaker C:Absolutely.
Speaker C:It's all about creating a culture of recognition in the workplace.
Speaker B:Okay, how do we do that?
Speaker C:Think about how you can acknowledge and appreciate your colleagues.
Speaker C:Contributions could be during a team meeting, a one on one, even just a quick email.
Speaker B:Doesn't have to be complicated.
Speaker C:Nope.
Speaker C:Could be as simple as saying, hey, great job on that presentation, or sending a handwritten thank you note.
Speaker B:We used to have a wall of fame at my old job.
Speaker B:It's pretty cool.
Speaker C:There you go.
Speaker C:It's about making people feel seen and valued.
Speaker C:Creates a more positive, supportive work environment.
Speaker B:Makes sense.
Speaker B:And recognizing others, it doesn't just motivate them.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:It builds a sense of teamwork too.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker C:It's a win win.
Speaker C:Positive energy all around.
Speaker B:Love it.
Speaker B:Like a ripple effect.
Speaker C:And who knows, maybe by recognizing your colleagues, you will inspire them to reach for even bigger goals.
Speaker B:That would be awesome.
Speaker B:This has been like, eye opening.
Speaker B:I feel like I've got a whole new toolkit for tackling my goals.
Speaker B:All right, welcome back to the Deep Dive.
Speaker B:We've been talking about how even a simple thank you can be a powerful motivator.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:We've been digging into this research paper about keeping those Wikipedia editors engaged, remember?
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:And how recognition is crucial for achieving goals.
Speaker B:Whether it's acknowledging our own progress or getting support and appreciation from others.
Speaker C:And we talked about some practical ways to build those recognition moments into our daily lives.
Speaker C:For our personal goals, for our work with teams.
Speaker C:All that good stuff.
Speaker B:Exactly.
Speaker B:But here's something else to think about.
Speaker B:Like, what if we took this idea of recognition beyond just our own individual achievements?
Speaker B:What if we used it to encourage, like, contributions that benefit everyone?
Speaker C:Oh, I like where you're going with this.
Speaker B:This whole paper was about Wikipedia.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Which is a huge collaborative project that benefits, well, pretty much everyone who uses the Internet.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:It makes you wonder, what about all the other places where people are volunteering their time and energy?
Speaker C:Open source software projects, community initiatives, all that.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Like, what about those folks?
Speaker B:Could a simple thank you or a symbolic award motivate them too?
Speaker C:It's a really interesting question.
Speaker C:We've seen how powerful recognition can be for individuals.
Speaker C:So imagine the Potential impact on a larger scale.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Like a ripple effect.
Speaker C:Imagine a world where we all actively acknowledged and appreciated those who are making a positive impact, even in small ways.
Speaker C:Think about, you know, that volunteer who spends their weekends cleaning up the little park.
Speaker B:Or someone who mentors kids.
Speaker C:Right, exactly.
Speaker C:Those unsung heroes doing good work.
Speaker B:It's like creating a culture of gratitude and appreciation that goes beyond just our own little circles.
Speaker C:And maybe, just maybe, by recognizing those folks, we'll inspire even more people to step up and contribute their own talents and passions.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:To make the world a better place.
Speaker B:You know, it all comes back to that human need to feel valued and appreciated for what we do.
Speaker C:And sometimes the best rewards aren't, you know, money or prizes, right?
Speaker B:It's something more.
Speaker C:It's that feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, of actually making a difference.
Speaker B:This has been such a great deep dive.
Speaker B:I feel like we started talking about Wikipedia editors and we ended up exploring how recognition can fuel our own motivation and inspire positive change in the world.
Speaker C:It's amazing what you can learn from the most unexpected place places.
Speaker B:So as you go about your day, keep this in mind.
Speaker B:Think about how you can use recognition, whether it's for yourself or for others.
Speaker B:And remember, sometimes the most powerful motivator isn't a prize or a promotion.
Speaker C:What is it then?
Speaker B:It's that feeling of being seen, valued.
Speaker B:Part of something meaningful.
Speaker C:Couldn't have said it better myself.
Speaker C:Thanks for having me on the deep dive.
Speaker B:It was a pleasure.
Speaker B:And to everyone listening, until next time, keep diving deeper.
