The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics

467. The Streak End Rule: Revolutionizing Motivation with Polly Kang

28 snips
Jan 30, 2025
Dr. Polly Kang, a postdoctoral scholar at INSEAD, discusses her groundbreaking research on the 'streak end rule' and its effects on workplace motivation and job satisfaction. She reveals how reordering tasks can significantly decrease employee turnover—by up to 22%! Polly emphasizes the importance of balancing challenging and enjoyable tasks and shares insights from a study on a crisis hotline. Her findings provide practical strategies for organizations to enhance job design without resorting to financial incentives, leading to happier, more committed employees.
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ANECDOTE

Colonoscopy Study

  • Colonoscopy studies showed that patients preferred longer procedures with less pain at the end.
  • This demonstrates the peak-end rule, where people judge experiences based on peak and end moments.
INSIGHT

Streak End Rule

  • Task order impacts quitting more than task difficulty.
  • Streaks of hard tasks, especially if recent, increase quitting.
ADVICE

Task Reordering

  • Reorder tasks to break up hard streaks with easier ones.
  • This simple change can reduce turnover by at least 22%.
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