Understanding How to Motivate to Improve

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Understanding How to Motivate to Improve Performance Motivation is an extremely important factor within a workplace. Motivation levels amongst staff can have a significant impact on an business and can be key to a business being a success or a failure. "Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." Dwight D. Eisenhower In simple terms motivation is what causes us to act. Motivation is the process which begins, guides and sustains goal-orientated behaviours. It is the desire and willingness to do something and the biological, emotional, social and cognitive forces that activate behaviour towards achieving a goal. Motivation is the term used to describe why a person does something i.e. a person eats because they are motivated by hunger. Motivation is what arouses someone's interest, directs their performance and sets the amount of energy that a person puts into achieving their goal. There are a number of factors which can affect motivation levels in the workplace such as: the relationships between co-workers; stress levels; recognition and praise; alignment of goals; and standards set. Recognition and praise from senior staff and management for the work an employee does demonstrates to the employee that they are appreciated. This can result in increased motivation to perform to high standards and a feeling of duty towards a company. A lack of recognition for good work can dramatically reduce motivation as staff feel undervalued and unappreciated, a person may work hard for an employer who does not appreciate them. Praise and recognition provides the incentive to work hard and achieve goals. Other incentives in a workplace can include the chance to learn and gain qualifications, promotions, and often increased salaries. However, it would be foolish to believe that money is always the

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