In cut out letters pinned with thumbtacks abstract writing reads 'motivate volunteers'.

Thriving Together: The Science of Motivation

Introduction

Watch this PowerLabs webinar for an introduction to the science of motivation and discover practical methods applicable in most organizing contexts. This webinar, Thriving Together: Boosting the well-being and performance of members and volunteers through the science of motivation, was recorded in 2024 by PowerLabs.

The webinar looks at two models of motivation: Behaviorism vs Self Determination Theory and also includes an example from a phone bank to turnout voters.

About Webinar

Organizers worldwide are using the science of motivation to create the conditions for deep learning, commitment, creativity, and performance required to achieve purpose in complex and uncertain political environments.

The organizers are achieving extraordinary outcomes by creating environments that support members in meeting the universal psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence.

Autonomy is our need to believe our choices matter and to value what we are doing, even if the work isn’t exciting or fun.

Relatedness is our need to feel that we truly matter to those around us and they matter to us.

Competence is our need to feel successful and effective in the things we do. It’s fulfilled when we feel like we’re growing in our skills, abilities, and knowledge.

Focusing on these shared needs unlocks a pathway to greater well-being, deeper engagement, and improved performance within our movements and organizations.

Watch Webinar

Screenshot of front page of webinar recording. Text reads 'Reflect on your own. Think about your worse work or volunteer experience. What methods were used to motivate you? How did it make you feel? How did it effect your performance? Play controls are at the bottom. Tiny video of man known as Randall Smith talking in top right hand corner.

About Presenters

Randall Smith has worked with dozens of organizations to use evidence-based approaches to build high-commitment, high-participation member-powered campaigns where members thrive.

Since founding PowerLabs in 2013, he’s coached and advised founders, senior leaders and organizers at a range of organizations, including Free Press, IfNotNow, Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Collaborative, Movimiento Cosecha, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Sunrise Movement, and United for Respect.

Sophia Zaia is an Associate Consultant at PowerLabs where she specializes in improving the effectiveness of staff and volunteer teams.

She has experience both leading and coaching self-managing volunteer teams, mid-level teams and senior leadership teams at the Sunrise Movement, on Jessica Cisneros’ 2022 campaign for Congress, and in the fossil fuel divestment movement.

Sophia directed the Sunrise Movement’s distributed voter contact program in 2020, resulting in more than six million phone calls made and more than one million postcards sent through efforts organized by a self-managing team of fifty-plus volunteers in their teens and early twenties. You can read more about it here and here.

Explore Further


© All Rights Reserved

Contact a Commons librarian if you would like to connect with the author