Research: How family motivates people to do their best work

Published in: Harvard Business Review — 03 July 2024

Written by

Lauren C. Howe and Jochen I. Menges

Summary

What we found: Family can significantly motivate employees at work, challenging the traditional view that family only competes with work for time and energy. A growing body of research shows that employees who are motivated by family tend to perform better and are more engaged in their jobs.

Why it matters: These findings highlight the importance of recognizing family as a positive motivational factor in the workplace. By understanding and leveraging this, organizations can boost employee productivity and job satisfaction, leading to better overall performance.

What next: Organizations and leaders should create a supportive culture that embraces the role of family in employees' lives. This can be achieved through policies like flexible work hours, parental leave, and on-site childcare, as well as encouraging employees to bring personal items related to their family into the workplace to boost motivation and reduce unethical behavior.