Introduction to Motivation

Question 1

What is the definition of motivation?

Answer 1

Willing to exert effort toward a specific goal

Question 2

Why is motivation important?

Answer 2

• Leads to better work performance

- Feels good to be highly motivated

Question 3

How can managers motivate people?

Answer 3

• Tangible rewards (compensation and benefits)
• Intangible rewards (eg. praise and recognition)
• Clear link between goals and rewards

Question 4

What is the goal-setting theory of motivation?

Answer 4

Task efforts –> Goal = Task Performance

Goals should be: SMART PC

• Specific
• Measurable
• Acceptable
• Relevant
• Timebound
• Participative
• Challenging
• There should be feedback (Are we meeting milestones?)

Question 5

How to find out if someone is motivated or not?

Answer 5

Ask them:

1. What are they trying to achieve (goal clarity)?
2. What are the rewards for achieving the goal (“will do” factors)?
3. Do they have the ability and resources needed (“can do” factors)?

Question 6

What is organisational justice?

Answer 6

Within organisations: pay, resources are distributed based on certain principles

• Eg. Accept the amount you are paid as compared to other professions –> feel happy
• Eg. 2 people apply for job, one of them gets it, the other feel the distribution is unfair as they have more experience but look at the ‘procedural justice perceptions’ - why it was distribution this way, this might override ‘distributive justice perception’
  (Refer to image on page 15)

Question 7

What are 3 factors that lead to better performance?

Answer 7

1. Autonomy – desire to be self-directed, control over what you do
   - First famous by Google –> provide resource and let them work
2. Mastery – urge to get better at stuff, feeling of accomplishment
3. Sense of purpose - making a contribution

Question 8

What are extrinsic rewards?

Answer 8

• Tangible
• Money (pay, bonuses)
• Benefits (health insurance, travel perks, promotions)

Question 9

What are intrinsic rewards?

Answer 9

• Intangible
• Related to our feelings of satisfaction
• Unmeasurable
• Being recognised and appreciated
• Opportunities to work on what you want and when you want

Question 10

How do we motivate difficult people?

Answer 10

• Requires 2 way communication

1. Prepare to talk to them about their preferred outcomes (what are the changes to their actions)
2. Listen carefully, show empathy
3. Don’t respond emotionally
4. Acknowledge what he or she said and agree with some of it (“Yes, I understand”)
5. State what outcomes are needed and ask for his/her ideas
6. Mutually problem-solve and set an action plan
7. Discuss consequences for them meeting the action plan (“Will discuss in the monthly appraisal”)