Four Theories Of Motivation

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Theories of Motivation
Patrice Brown
Contemporary Issues in Organizational Leadership
BUS 660
August 7, 2017
Dr. James Moore
Ashford University

Theories of Motivation
The basic skill of leadership is the ability to motivate others to completes a task or goal. Whether it be going to school or carrying out the tasks of a job, every effort requires motivation. The type of motivation can often be the determining factor of whether or not the effort is successful. According to Warrick (2016) motivation is defined as the processes that account for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence of effort in obtaining a goal (in this case, a work-related goal). Employers can thereby gain insight into what motivates an employee by first …show more content…

There are also disadvantages to each theory as well. For example, in the previous example, the doctor is confronted with a patient that keeps having children despite her dire circumstances. The patient has had children that have been removed from her home due to neglect. Need theory suggests that the doctor should place his own desire to counsel the woman in family planning, above his primary duty of just treating her prenatal needs. Cognitively the doctor may now be in a state of concern, which could influence or motivate him to make a poor choice regarding his handling of this patient. Situational theory also sets forth that since the situation has become heightened, the doctor may also make an unwise choice which may put his job in jeopardy. The doctor may become dissatisfied with his position, which could cause him to not to even treat the patient thoroughly. To a degree, while there are positives to each theory, there can also be some disadvantages.
While motivational and job satisfaction theories can help employers or leaders to gauge what motivates their employees, it is impossible for them to be used to explain all motivating factors. By analyzing these theories, it is possible to understand their basic concepts, and see how they can be an advantage in motivating their employees to the best possible outcome for the

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