Show concrete evidence of whom an action helped.
Limited evidenceSupporting studies exist, but they are few and conditions matter.
Example
Editorial example: tell a contributor which question their guide correction helped resolve.
Why it works
Grant examines task significance and beneficiary impact in workplace experiments. Communicating contribution is distinct from guilt-based pressure.
On the web
Report only verified outcomes without exposing beneficiaries. Preserve ordinary access for users who decline to donate or invite.
When it backfires
Workplace performance findings do not predict donation or referral effects. Do not exaggerate or use beneficiary stories without consent.
Sources
Experiments examine perceived beneficiary impact, performance and boundary conditions.
Grant, A. M. (2008). The significance of task significance: Job performance effects, relational mechanisms, and boundary conditions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 108–124. Open source