Employee Motivation - a Powerful New Model

Summary 1: Employee Motivation - A Powerful New Model

Good corporate performance is not necessarily a measure of motivated workforce. Employee motivation is influenced by organizational and managerial factors.

Organizational factors that encourage motivation are acquire, bond, comprehend and defend. Drive to acquire, when fulfilled is met with delight, or discontentment otherwise. Acquisition refers to procuring tangible goods, ranging from food, clothing, and intangible goods, such as social status and experiences. Drive to bond, where people interact in groups and develop attachments, results in feeling of love and care. When the drive to comprehend is fulfilled, employees are motivated by challenging jobs that let them learn and grow while the drive to defend is the fulfillment of security and confidence. Few organizational levers to motivate employees include establishing a fair to all reward system, facilitating a culture that fosters teamwork, designing challenging jobs, emphasizing transparency in performance management and resource allocation.

Direct managers play a significant role in motivating employees. Employees expect managers to do their best in fulfilling all four of their emotional needs, but are also realistic about managers’ limitations. Large improvements in levels of motivation are possible by improving performance in all four categories as opposed to enhancing performance in any one category though all carry equal significance.

Summary 2: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classis Definitions and New Directions

Self-Determination Theory distinguishes types of motivation as intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsically motivated behaviors are outcome of volition regardless of rewards. They are spontaneous activities that exhibit a sense of freedom. Intrinsic motivation is the urge to satisfy psychological interest and curiosity that help individuals grow in physical development, knowledge and skill. While feelings of competence and support for autonomy facilitate intrinsic motivation, controlling environment affects such behavior. Intrinsic motivation in individuals can be retained by activities that present novelty and challenge.