Steven Bartlett Highlights the ‘Progress Principle’ as a Key Motivator for Teams

In a recent LinkedIn post, Steven Bartlett discusses a powerful, yet often overlooked, driver of employee motivation: the ‘Progress Principle’. Bartlett argues that for CEOs and managers aiming to boost team performance, celebrating small wins is not just beneficial, but essential.

Bartlett introduces the concept, stating:

“Science shows us that CEO’s and Managers HAVE TO celebrate the small wins if they want to motivate their team… I call this the ‘Progress Principle’👇🏾”

He elaborates on the core idea, contrasting it with more traditionally recognized motivators. According to Bartlett, the primary drivers of motivation, joy, and fulfillment in the workplace are not external rewards but internal feelings of advancement.

The ‘Progress Principle’ Explained

Steven Bartlett emphasizes that the ‘Progress Principle’ is rooted in scientific research. He references the work of Harvard researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, who analyzed over 12,000 diary entries from more than 200 employees. Their findings, as highlighted by Bartlett, revealed a significant correlation between making progress on goals and positive work outcomes.

Bartlett summarizes the research’s key takeaways:

“on days when people felt they made even a small amount of progress toward meaningful goals: ✅Their motivation soared. ✅Their mood improved. ✅Their creativity spiked. ✅They performed better.”

The implication, as Steven Bartlett points out, is that the size of the accomplishment is less important than the act of moving forward. Whether it’s completing a minor task or gaining clarity on a complex issue, any form of progress can be a catalyst for greater engagement and productivity.

Momentum and Belief: The Cycle of Progress

The insights shared by Steven Bartlett suggest that small wins create a powerful ripple effect. He explains that this consistent forward movement builds momentum, which in turn fosters a sense of belief within the team.

Bartlett articulates this connection:

“Progress, however small, created momentum. And momentum created belief!”

This belief, cultivated through the consistent acknowledgment and celebration of progress, is what Bartlett identifies as the hallmark of highly effective leadership. He asserts that the most successful CEOs, Founders, and Managers actively foster this environment by frequently acknowledging and celebrating even the smallest steps forward.

The Free and Effective Strategy

A key takeaway from Steven Bartlett’s post is the accessibility of this motivational strategy. He notes that implementing the ‘Progress Principle’ requires no financial investment.

As Bartlett concludes:

“And the best part is… doing this is FREE 👊🏾”

This suggests that leaders can significantly enhance team morale, engagement, and productivity by simply adopting a practice of recognizing and celebrating incremental progress. The article underscores that fostering a culture where small wins are acknowledged is a low-cost, high-impact approach to leadership, ultimately leading to more fired-up, engaged, and productive teams.