Motivation and Improving Staff Performance
16 articles
What is Motivation?
Motivation represents the driving factor behind every worker, leader and executive. It is what links personal performance with organisational aims. Therefore it is paramount to create an environment which promotes and sustains a motivated workforce.
The alignment of aims, purpose and values between staff, teams and organization is motivation’s most fundamental aspect. The better the alignment and personal association with organizational aims, the better the platform for motivation. Where people find it difficult to align and associate with the organizational aims, then most motivational ideas and activities will have a reduced level of success.
Motivation is a complex area. It’s different for each person. Nudge Theory is an example of a powerful change-management concept that emerged in the early 2000s. It is helpful in understanding, teaching, and, to a degree, managing the ways people’s thinking and decisions are influenced by indirect factors, rather than by direct pressure.
Motivational receptiveness and potential in everyone changes from day to day, from situation to situation. Get the alignment and values right, and motivational methods work better. Motivational methods will not work if people and organisations are not aligned. People are motivated towards something they can relate to and believe in. Times have changed and people want more. You should view the following motivational methods and ideas as structures, and activities as building blocks, to be used when you have a solid foundation in place. The foundation is a cohesive alignment of people’s needs and values with the aims and purpose of the organisation.
This course will educate leaders on motivational theory, and how to engage their workforce to gain the maximum possible benefits and productivity from the team. Discussed will be motivational theories described by some of the most renowned thinkers in the fields of leadership and business, such as McGregor, Handy, McClelland, Herzberg, Adamsand Humphreys, and many more. Transactional approaches, such as using bonuses, are discussed, as are more transformational methods and inclusive employee engagement.
Adams' Equity Theory of Motivation
Adam's theory on motivation extends beyond the individual self and incorporates influence and comparison of other people's situation into job motivation.
An Introduction to Gamification
Gamification is the process of using game elements in typically non-game contexts which have become increasingly prevalent in today’s business world.
Charles Handy's Motivational Calculus
Handy's Motivation Calculus is an extension of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and an example of his interpretation of the human condition and response to work.
Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation
A video presented by Dan Pink a career analyst who attempts to explore 'the puzzle of motivation'.
David Mcclelland: Achievement Motivation
David McClelland proposes three types of motivation: achievement, power and affiliation motivation which have been widely adopted in many organisations.
Employee Motivation and Staff Surveys
This article provides a structure, tips and techniques for creating an effective employee motivation survey questionnaire.
Frederick Herzberg's Theory of Motivation
Frederick Herzberg – an introduction to the thinker and his motivational theory.
Frederick Herzberg's Two Factor Motivation Theory
Frederick Herzberg's theory of motivation and hygiene factors to improve satisfaction and avoid dissatisfaction explained clearly with diagrams and graphs.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
A look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it attempts to explain motivation through human basic needs up to our complex social needs.
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Quiz
A quiz concerning your knowledge of Maslows Hierarchy of needs.
McGregor's XY Theory of Management
Douglas McGregor's famous X–Y theory is still referred to regularly in management styles and improving workplace motivation. Free diagrams available here.
Motivational Case Study Exercises
Free motivational case studies, which can be used for learning, teaching and team-building exercises.
Nudge Theory: A Complete Overview
An overview of Nudge Theory and its impact on motivation at an individual or group level. Nudge Theory fully defined and explained in practice with examples.
TAM Business Change Model (Albert Humphreys)
TAM® is a step by step formatted precise method which facilitates and enables any group to produce and achieve a plan to accomplish a specific result.
To What Extent is Money a Motivator?
Understanding the extent to which people are motivated and governed by money and how this impacts on workplace motivation.
Vroom's Expectancy Theory of Motivation
Understanding Vroom's Expectancy Theory, and how to apply it to motivate team members and other staff.