Motivation and Performance in the Work Environment

1. Morris states that the best work is "more likely to be done by those who love their working environment, whose workplace inspires their enthusiasm and even a measure of joy."

Select a working environment with which you are familiar that does not live up to Morris's idea and comment on how well the work is done there.

Select another environment with which you are familiar that does live up to Morris' ideal and comment on how well the work is done there.

2. Have you ever seen yourself and your fellow employees as performance artists at work? Why or why not?

Do you believe such an approach is necessary to get the most out of work? Why or why not?

3. How do you add to the beauty of work?

4. Has greater creativity been encouraged at your place of employment? Why or why not?

5. Morris writes, "I believe that employees should be thought of as partners with management, and all the people within a business should be thought of as partners with both suppliers and customers, partners ultimately for the common goal of living well."

Is this a realistic arrangement? Why or why not?

What must always be present for such an arrangement to work? Why?