Timing

“I’ve been on a calendar, but never on time.” – Marilyn Monroe

“You know, sometimes, when they say you’re ahead of your time, it’s just a polite way of saying you have a real bad sense of timing.”  – George McGovern

Like Marilyn Monroe and George McGovern, we all know that timing is important in life – and it’s very valuable to know how timing helps us foster a working environment that promotes engagement, alignment and positive results.

Let’s review the four timing schedules for reinforcing and rewarding behaviors identified by the pioneering behavioral scientist B.F. Skinner (www.bfskinner.org):

Fixed-Interval

This type is most common because it’s easiest to set up – reinforcement & reward arrives after a defined time period. The Friday beer/pizza party reinforcing & rewarding long hours of work was a popular strategy for high-tech companies in the early days of Silicon Valley. 

Variable-Interval

Here, timing varies and is not announced in advance (example: completing a group project).  Because the reinforcement & reward arrives unannounced and “on-the-spot” it tends to elicit sincerely appreciative responses from participants (“What a great surprise.”)

Fixed-Ratio

The reinforcement & reward in this approach is provided after a defined number of behaviors & actions:  500 units shipped, 250 packets mailed, 100days without an absence.

Variable-Ratio

Here, reinforcement & reward arrives after a variable number of behaviors & actions – this is the reinforcement & reward strategy that motivates us (customer service, salespeople, managers) to keep presenting our offers/ideas – knowing we may soon be rewarded.

Putting the Ideas into Action

All these strategies work to engage, align and motivate people to perform at higher levels – it’s good to remember that changing your strategies is another way to demonstrate to your people that you’re paying attention.  Here are some quick take-away thoughts on each:

Fixed Interval:            The longer you use this one, the more de-motivating when it is removed

Variable Interval:       Less expensive (it’s a surprise) & less likely to de-motivate when removed

Fixed Ratio:                Change periodically – it becomes predictable and thus less motivating

Variable-Ratio:           Arguably the most motivating – think creatively how to apply in your area