Employee Motivation is the Key to Success

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Employee Motivation is the Key to Success

MEANING OF MOTIVATION

Motivation is an aspect of managerial function of directing under execution. It is necessary as a means to induce people to work, as they are able and trained to do, willingly.

The job of a manager in the workplace is to get things done through employees. To do this the manager should be able to motivate employees. But that’s easier said than done! Motivation practice and theory are difficult subject, touching on several disciplines.

To understand motivation one must understand human nature itself, and there lies the problem!

Human nature can be very simple, yet more complex too. An understanding and appreciation of this is a prerequisite to effective employee motivation in the workplace and therefore effective management and success of organization to attain its objectives.

The article on employee motivation the key to success concentrates on various theories regarding human nature in general and motivation in particular. Included are practical aspects of motivation in the workplace (Tanzania Revenue Authority – TRA) and research that has been undertaken in this field notably by Abraham Moslow (theory z, hierarchy of needs) David Mc.Clleland (achievement motivation) and Herzberg (two factor motivation hygicne theory).

EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION – THE KEY TO SUCCESS

There is an old saying you can take a horse to the water but you can not force it to drink. It will drink only if its thirsty-so with people. They will do what they want to do or otherwise motivated to do. Whether it is to excel on the workshop floor or in the “Ivory tower” they must be motivated or driven to it either by themselves or through external stimulus. Are they both with the self-motivation or drive? Yes and no if no, they can be motivated, for motivation is a skill, which can and must be learnt. This is essential for any business to survive and succeed.

Performance is considered to be a function of ability and motivation, thus:

• Job performance = f (ability)( motivation)

Ability in in turn depends on education, experience and training and its improvement is a slow and long process. On the other hand motivation can be improved quickly. There are many options and an uninitiated manager may even know where to start. As a guideline seven strategies for motivation.

• Positive reinforcement/high expectations

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