The Importance of Motivation

Table Of Contents

II. INTRO 1

III. Define Motivation 1

IV. Hierarchy of Needs 1 - 2

V. INTRINSIC REWARDS 2

VI. EXTRINSIC REWARDS 2 - 4

VII. CONTENT MOTIVATION 4

ERG Theory 4

Two Factor Theory 4 - 5

VIII. PROCESS MOTIVATION 5

Equity Theory 5

Goal-Setting Theory 5 - 6

Expectancy Theory 6

IX. CONCLUSION 7

X. WORKS CITED 8

II. INTRO

One of the key aspects of management is motivating. Finding the right form of motivation is a problem that’s been around ever since motivation in the work place was conceived as an idea. As of now, there are several theories to what kind of motivation works the best to get an employee motivated to produce their best work. Unfortunately, many try motivating employees by using extrinsic rewards, such as cash or the like. What they don’t realize is that in the long run, this is making their employees less productive than they were to start with.

III. Define Motivation

To be able to understand what motivates someone, we first must look at what motivation is. According to Webster’s dictionary, motivation is something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act (Dictionary). Motivation is also said to be an inner desire to satisfy an unsatisfied need. What this is telling us is that we are motivated if we need or desire something. Motivation is based upon a satisfaction of something deep inside us.

IV. Hierarchy of Needs

There was a famous Psychological theorist by the name of Abraham Maslow. Maslow is well known for his theory known as the Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow’s hierarchy is set up in a pyramid starting with the most basic needs at the bottom and working up to the most advanced needs. He claimed that we as humans are motivated by unsatisfied needs. Also, certain lower needs have to be satisfied before higher needs can be obtained. At the lowest level, we need certain physical needs, such as food, air, and water. Next up, we need safety. We need order and security to satisfy this stage. Above this we find love. We need to feel like we belong, and that we can communicate with others. After this we have esteem as the need. We need to feel achievement, status, prestige, and mastery. The highest level of the hierarchy is self actualization. This involves true personal fulfillment...

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...used today by managers in the workplace to promote motivation. Intrinsic rewards are the key to motivating employees to give you high performance. It’s up to you to choose which will work the best to motivate your employees to do their best work. Remember, that your employees are motivated most when they are able to appreciate the motivation.

X. WORKS CITED

1) “33 Tips That Keep Staff Motivated & Effective as Recession Grinds On.” Accounting Department Management & Administration Report Jan.2002: 3.

2) Barrier, Michael. “Improving Worker Performance.” Nation’s Business 84 (1996): 28.

3) Bowen, Brayton R. “Intrinsic Rewards.” PPB Online Oct 2003: http://www.ppai.org/Publications/PPB/article.asp?NewsID=1972

4) Dictionary.com “Motivation” http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=motivation

5) Lamey, Andy. “Can You Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise? Studies show Materialism Linked to Poverty, Illness.” National Post 23 October 2002: AL4.

6) Lussier, Robert N. Management Fundamentals. Second Edition. Massachusetts. Thomson Southwestern, 2003. Pgs 377-396

7) Tan, Victor S.L. “Six Common Motivational Flaws.” New Straits Times 8 Feb 2003: 2-EX.