How do you build high performance teams? Tap into the power of intrinsic motivation.

1. What's ‘Buzzing’ You? The new science of performance, productivity and passion in the workplace! Russ Smith rsmith@sapphireca.com Canada June 2011

2. Plug into the 'reward cycle'. It’s one of the most powerful technologies ever created by nature. Perfected longer than the human brain or binocular vision. And it's FREE!

3. Ask any coach! Getting humans from point A to point B is not always easy. Billions of years of evolutionhas a solution . . . The dopamine 'reward cycle'.

4. Dopamine is everything! You don't need to be a neuroscientist to understand how this powerful technology works. Every single goal we achieve involves our 'reward cycle' machinery.

5. How does the cycle work? Everytime you achieve even the smallest goal, your brain secretes dopamine. Dopamine is chemically similiar to cocaine - a very powerful incentive. It makes you feel contented, happy and energized.

6. What are your goals? Getting out of bed, combing your hair, eating breakfast, changing the world? All are goals. All dependant on the 'reward cycle‘.

7. But it gets better! Big exciting goals generate more of a buzz than the common everyday goals. That's how people are able to achieve truly amazing goals - like climbing mountains or building great companies.

8. The 'buzz' methodology. People with brain damage to their 'dopamine centers' will stay in the shower for hours. We need the 'buzz' of dopamine to move us on to our next goals. Whether big or small.

9. How do we know when we’ve decided? Survivors of brain trauma to their dopamine centers will spend hours deciding on what shoes to wear. Or what to eat for breakfast. They also lack drive and passion.

10. No two people are the same! Everyone's abilities vary widely . . . . . . from hearing, strength, vision, or hitting a golf ball 300 yards . . . none of us have the same level of natural ability.

11. Where do you fall on the 'drive' range? People's drive and passion vary across a wide spectrum. Causes are genetic and environmental. As a manager your job is to find only the most driven.

12. Step 1Find and hire people with tons of passion! You can't create drive. You can only channel people who are already driven. They live for the 'buzz'.

13. What does passion look like? Ask people what they love. Watch for changes in body language.Watch their energy level. Listen for stories of accomplishment. What problems have they overcome?

14. Step 2Map out their ‘drives’! You need to know the precise recipe for what moves each team member forward. Or backward. You need to get granular.

15. What do people love to do? Be exact!Dig down for details. Can that ‘drive’ activities key to the job? Do they have a passion for closure? Do they have the skills to follow through?

16. Step 3Hijack! The human reward cycle was designed to be hi-jacked. We do it every day. Help your people leverage that power for good.

17. Hijacking is not complex! Example: Jane loves helping people! Then put her in a role where she works with customers.. If she hates confrontation then don't put her on the Collections desk. The better the fit with her personal passion, the more productive and happy she will be.

19. hy is this new? The discoveries around our 'reward cycle' came about through the invention of 'hyper scanning tools' such as the fMRI in the last ten years. Neuroscientists can now actually watch how our brains process information in real time.

20. Interested in more information? How The Mind Works Steven Pinker Your Brain Is Almost Perfect Read Montague Your Money and Your Brain Jason Zweig Buyology: Truth & Lies ABout Why We Buy Martin Lindstrom