Motivation

How to motivate staff - that seemed to be the holy grail of management theories during much of the 20th century.

No one found that holy grail, but the search for it did lead to a large number of insights into how people become motivated. We have produced summaries of the main six theories/writers - see menu on the left.

Expectancy Theory
FW Taylor - Scientific Management
Elton Mayo - Hawthorne Experiment
Fred Hertzberg - Job Satisfaction
Abraham Maslow - Hierarchy of Needs
Douglas McGregor - Theory X & Theory Y

Anyone who wishes to know more had best read the original books.

As to our own views. Motivation happens on three levels:

The Individual Level which is often about a biological response - interest, curiosity, and drive. People we have trained, when asked to reflect on times when they felt motivated, almost always named one of two factors - a challenging task and recognition
.
The Group/Community Level where the group or community generates feelings of loyalty, commitment, and stimulation. Particularly strong in the armed forces.
The Organisational Level which is perhaps more about commitment rather than motivation. The organisation can create the conditions - pay, promotions, working conditions, etc. that support mangers and leaders in motivating their staff. It establishes the psychological contract between employer and employee

This is depicted pictorially below.

on motivation and commitment