Motivation – Written by Harshi Singhal

One of the major problems faced by human resources department is the issue of employee motivation. It is the driving force that inspires people to do their best and put their efforts willingly for the achievement of organizational goals. It is the process of inspiring the person at work to accomplish desired goals.

Characteristics

It is the inner state within an individual that automatically drives him towards goal- oriented activities. It is a psychological phenomenon within a person. There appear some needs in the mind of an individual which stimulates his behaviour to do some work in order to satisfy those needs. It is never an unending process to induce the person to satisfy his innumerable wants. It is a power which results in behaviour directed towards goals. For example, promotion is a technique of motivation. It is a continuous as well as complex process.

All individuals do not have same needs, desires and reactions. Keeping in mind the needs of the person concerned, monetary and non- monetary techniques are used. Motivation can be both positive and negative. Those employees who are laborious in the true sense are encouraged with some awards that is known as positive motivation. Those workers who are by nature shirkers are encouraged to work with threat of demotion, suspension. Such people start working because of the fear factor that is negative motivation.

Importance of Motivation

Motivation bridges the gap between ability and willingness to work. Workers perform well voluntarily to achieve the goals. It makes the place of work a source of joy and helps in reduction of labour turnover and absenteeism which results in better output. Better utilization of resources lowers the cost of operations. Proper motivation helps to overcome resistance to change. Changes are necessary to be accepted with the demand of time. So subordinate enthusiastically adopt changes and improves their work performance because of motivation. Motivation helps to change the negative attitude of the employees. Employees usually think that doing more work will not bring any credit. Manager uses various techniques to change this attitude.

Sometimes poorly motivated people can turn to be the soundest part of the organization. So the employers should adopt new techniques for employee motivation.

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