Business Motivation

Motivation is the tendency to expend effort to achieve a goal and the desire to accomplish an aim or participate in an endeavour.

Motivation towards better performance depends on the satisfaction of needs for responsibility, achievement, recognition and growth. Needs are felt, and their intensity varies from one person to another and from time to time, and so does the extent to which they are motivating.

Attaining goals leads to feelings of self-respect, strength and confidence.

Few people are able to continue a pattern of achievement and success without the added encouragement provided by others recognising their achievements.

Continued failure and frustration and defeat can result in feelings of inadequacy and a withdrawal from competitive situations.

Persistent lack of rewards leads to a view of society as being hostile and unrewarding.

The different motivational theories:-

Hierarchy of Needs (A.H. Maslow, 1954) {1}

Primary Needs

1. Physiological. Survival needs. Examples: Food, drink, health.

2. Safety. Physical and emotional security. Such as clothing, shelter, protection against attack (unemployment benefits, redundancy pay, old age pension).

3. Affection needs. Affection and the need to belong. Examples: Family unit, other small groups such as work groups.

4. Esteem needs. For self-respect, for accomplishment, for achievement. The achievement must be recognised and appreciated by someone else.

5. Self-fulfilment needs. To utilise one's potential to the maximum working with and for one's fellow

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