Motivation in the Workplace

Motivation and the workplace

What is motivation and how does it affect us?

According to Britannica (2011) motivation has long been a central subject of study in psychology. Deriving from the Latin terminology "movere", motivation is a positive incentive, which determines how human beings act. It energises behaviour and is a source of creative action.

Scientists have discovered various different factors, which encourage and enable people to display their full potential. The satisfaction of individual needs is a central point in order to show commitment and interest. Engaged employees are goal-oriented. Motivation stimulates desire and energy so that one can be continually interested and committed to a certain project and goal.

During today's challenging economic times it is very important that employees are productive and deliver high quality work. Due to layoffs, reorganization and budget tightening, employees nowadays are expected to do more with far fewer resources. The lack of motivation in today's business orientated companies is omnipresent.

Investigating the root cause of disengagement and acknowledging that motivation is key to the success of a workplace should be one of the core values of every company.

The level of motivation will affect the success of a workplace, especially in difficult times. Engaged employees are more committed to working as a team, are more supportive, have a positive attitude and cooperate in an effective way. Motivation encourages creativity, productivity and has a constructive impact on employees' self-esteem.

All of these above-mentioned factors influence the working environment, in that it makes it more friendly, and harmonious. Jobholders have less stress, lose less days through illness and are less likely to be depressed.

What methods can be used to ensure motivation in a workplace? How does one stimulate an individual, a team or a unit? How does one get the best out of a department?

The same method will not suit all individuals. Different people need different incentives in order to be motivated. Therefore managers have to figure out what motivates each member of a team and how to get the best out of him. Successful companies know how to exploit good employee engagement in unleashing one's strengths and diminishing one's weaknesses.

Positive communication is a key requirement to "feeding" a motivated taskforce. Managers need to interact with their employees and give them an opportunity to talk about what engages and motivates them in their work. A good manager/employee relationship is enhanced through encouraging conversations, which help develop professional values. It is about having a trustworthy dialogue and making each person feel heard.

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