Employee Motivation in Difficult Times Darrin Price General Manager, SVGID

Transcription

1 Employee Motivation in Difficult Times Darrin Price General Manager, SVGID October 2011

2 What is Motivation? Motivation is defined as the process that initiates, guides and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. Motivation is what causes us to act. It involves the biological, emotional, social and cognitive forces that activate behavior. In everyday usage, the term motivation is frequently used to describe why a person does something.

3 Components of Motivation There are three major components to motivation: activation, persistence and intensity. Activation involves the decision to initiate a behavior, such as attending a class. Persistence is the continued effort toward a goal even though obstacles may exist, such as taking more classes in order to earn a degree although it requires a significant investment of time, energy and resources. Finally, intensity can be seen in the concentration and drive that goes into pursuing a goal. For example, one student might coast by without much effort, while another student will study regularly, participate in discussions and take advantage of research opportunities outside of class.

4 Extrinsic Vs. Intrinsic Motivation Different types of motivation are frequently described as being either extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic motivations are those that arise from outside of the individual and often involve rewards such as trophies, money, social recognition or praise. Intrinsic motivations are those that arise from within the individual, such as doing a complicated crossword puzzle purely for the personal gratification of solving a problem.

5 Recognition as a Motivator Saying thanks and giving praise are the most commonly overlooked and under-estimated ways of motivating people. And it's so easy. Saying thanks is best said naturally and from the heart. When you look someone in the eye and thank them sincerely it means a lot. In front of other people even more so. The key words are the ones which say thanks and well done for doing a great job, especially where the words recognize each person's own special ability, quality, contribution, effort, whatever. People always appreciate sincere thanks, and they appreciate being valued as an individual even more. When you next have the chance to thank your team or an individual teammember, take the time to find out a special thing that each person has done and make a point of mentioning these things. Doing this, the praise tends to carry even greater meaning and motivational effect.

6 Alternatives as a Motivator People will not generally and sustainably improve their performance, or attitude when they are shouted at or given a kick up the backside. People will on the other hand generally improve their performance if empowered to develop their own strategic capability and responsibility within the organization. Money is not the key factor in motivating employees. Appreciation. (Example: Commend employees at all levels on a consistent basis.) Involvement. (Example: Allow employees to participate in defining the company's future direction.) Social Environment. (Example: Employee commitment is stronger when individual values match those of the company.) Additional days off. (Example: Vacation days, early outs, personal days, flex time)

7 Alternatives as a Motivator Company or Personal Gifts. (Example: Round of golf, massage, others)

8 Remember this

9 Remember this The most powerful and predictable people-builders are praise and encouragement.

10 Questions?