WHY GAMIFICATION and RECOGNITION DON’T
MIX

Gamification is great!

for things like: Coaxing people
to do things we dislike.

Or entertaining us when a
task is mundane.

Or motivating
us through competition.

No wonder it’s become quite
a fad in business.

1 We see badges and
leaderboards popping up everywhere. great job

But does gamification belong in
recognition? ?

Recognition isn’t mundane, or competitive.
And most people really like it. Great job! Aww, shucks.

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!”

“Do you feel that gamification
would be a positive addition to your recognition program?” 70% NO 30% YES

We asked if a recognition
leaderboard would motivate them to recognize more. They said “Nope!”

“Would you work harder if
the number of recognitions given or received was ranked in a leaderboard type format?” 79% NO 21% YES

We asked if gamified recognition
was less meaningful to them. They said “Absolutely!”

“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

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

Gamification and recognition
DON’T MIX.

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.

Read more in our Globoforce
“Workforce Mood Tracker Report”. © 2014 Globoforce Limited. All rights reserved. CALL US: +1 888 7-GFORCE EMAIL US: info@globoforce.com » READ OUR BLOG: globoforce.com/gfblog » VISIT OUR SITE: globoforce.com » Download the Report Adapting To The Realities Of Our Changing Workforce