Motivation

Definition

Motivation refers to the internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in individuals to be continually interested and committed to a task, goal, or role. It plays a crucial role in driving behavior and influencing how individuals approach challenges and changes, ultimately impacting their performance and engagement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Effective change leadership requires understanding what motivates team members, as it directly impacts their willingness to embrace new directions.
2. Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in enhancing motivation by helping leaders connect with their teams on an emotional level and understand their individual motivations.
3. Motivation can fluctuate during times of change, making it essential for leaders to provide support and reassurance to maintain engagement.
4. Different people are motivated by different factors, meaning that leaders must tailor their approach to fit the unique needs of each individual or team.
5. High levels of motivation contribute to resilience during change initiatives, enabling individuals to overcome obstacles and adapt to new circumstances.

Review Questions

• How can understanding motivation enhance a leader's emotional intelligence when managing change?
  • Understanding motivation allows leaders to tap into the emotional drivers of their team members. By recognizing what motivates individuals, leaders can create an environment that fosters engagement and commitment during change processes. This awareness enhances emotional intelligence as it enables leaders to empathize with their team's experiences, provide tailored support, and facilitate open communication, ultimately leading to a more effective change management strategy.
• Evaluate the impact of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation on employee performance during organizational changes.
  • Intrinsic motivation typically leads to higher levels of job satisfaction and creativity, which can be especially valuable during organizational changes where innovation and adaptability are required. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation might temporarily boost performance through incentives or rewards but may not sustain long-term commitment or engagement. Understanding the balance between these types of motivation helps leaders create strategies that encourage both immediate productivity and ongoing dedication to the organization's goals.
• Assess the significance of self-determination theory in fostering a motivated workforce during times of change.
  • Self-determination theory emphasizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in motivating individuals. During times of change, fostering a sense of autonomy allows employees to feel more in control of their roles and decisions, which can enhance engagement. Building competence through training opportunities helps employees feel capable of handling new challenges, while promoting relatedness strengthens team bonds. Together, these factors create a supportive environment that encourages a motivated workforce ready to embrace change.

Related terms

intrinsic motivation: Intrinsic motivation is the drive to engage in an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence, like rewards or recognition.

extrinsic motivation: Extrinsic motivation involves performing a behavior or engaging in an activity to earn rewards or avoid punishments that come from external sources.

self-determination theory: Self-determination theory is a psychological framework that posits that people are motivated to grow and change by three innate needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness.