Leaderboards and rewards are powerful tools for motivating teams. They work by providing clear and tangible markers of progress, as well as a sense of competition and accomplishment. A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that leaderboards can increase productivity by as much as 44%. 

Motivates them to achieve a goal 

When team members can see their progress on a leaderboard, they are more likely to feel motivated to continue working towards a goal. Additionally, leaderboards can be used to track progress over time, which allows team members to see how far they have come, and how much further they have to go. 

Creates a sense of competition 

Another reason leaderboards and rewards are effective is that they create a sense of competition. When team members can see how they are doing compared to others, they are more likely to push themselves to do better. This can be especially effective when the leaderboard is public, as it creates a sense of accountability and encourages team members to work harder. 

Creates a tangible marker of achievement 

Rewards are great motivators for teams, as they provide a tangible marker of achievement. When team members are rewarded for their hard work, they feel a sense of accomplishment and validation. This can be especially motivating when the rewards are meaningful and relevant to the team members, such as extra time off, or a bonus. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that tangible rewards, such as bonuses or gift cards, can increase motivation by as much as 25%. 

Builds camaraderie within the team 

In addition to providing a sense of progress and competition, leaderboards and rewards can also be used to build camaraderie and teamwork among team members. When team members are working towards a common goal, they are more likely to support and collaborate with one another. This can lead to a more cohesive and productive team overall. 

Drives employee engagement & boosts morale 

Research also shows that leaderboards and rewards can have a positive impact on employee engagement. A study by Gallup found that engaged employees are more likely to stay in their job, leading to lower turnover rates and cost savings for the company. Research by the University of Warwick found that happy employees are 12% more productive than their unhappy counterparts. 

However, the way leaderboards and rewards are implemented can impact their effectiveness. It’s important to make sure that leaderboards and rewards are used in a way that is fair and transparent. Team members should be aware of the criteria and rules for earning rewards, and should be able to see their progress on the leaderboard.  

Let’s look at a case study of how leaderboards can be used to increase training adoption in a sales team in ABC Inc., a Pharmaceutical company. ABC Inc. wants to increase the adoption of a new sales training program among its sales representatives. To achieve this, ABC Inc. implements a leaderboard system to track the progress of the sales representatives as they complete the training. 

The leaderboard is displayed on a large screen in the sales department and updated in real-time. It shows the names of the sales representatives and their progress through the training program. It also includes metrics such as the percentage of training completed and the scores achieved on quizzes and exams. The leaderboard is set up in a way that sales representatives can easily see where they stand in relation to their colleagues, and the top performers are highlighted. 

To further motivate the sales team, ABC Inc. also implements a rewards system. Sales representatives who complete the training within a certain timeframe or achieve a certain score are given bonuses or other incentives, such as extra time off.  

This would ideally result in further competition among the sales team and an increase in training adoption. 

To sum up, leaderboards and rewards are powerful motivators for teams because they provide clear markers of progress, create a sense of competition, and provide tangible markers of achievement. Additionally, they can build teamwork and camaraderie among team members. When used in a fair and transparent manner, leaderboards and rewards can help to create a more motivated and productive team.