Motivation: November 2008

McGregor’s Theory X And Theory Y

Theory X Assumptions

The “traditional” assumptions about the nature of people according to McGregor, are included in Theory X as follows:

Average human beings have an inherent dislike of work and will avoid it if they can.
Because of this human characteristic of disliking work, most people must be coerced, controlled, directed and threatened with punishment to get them put forth adequate effort toward the achievement of organizational objectives.
Average human beings prefer to be directed, wish to avoid responsibility, have relatively little ambition and want security above all.

Theory Y Assumptions

The assumptions under Theory Y are seen by Mc Gregor as follows:

The expenditure of physical effort and mental effort in work is as natural as play or rest.
External control and the threat of punishment are not the only means for producing effort toward organizational objectives. People will exercise self-direction and self-control in the service of objectives to which they are committed.
The degree of commitment to objectives is in proportion to the size of the rewards associated with their achievement.
Average human beings learn, under proper conditions, not only to accept responsibility but also to seek it.
The capacity to exercise a relatively high degree of imagination, ingenuity, and creativity in the solution of organizational problems is widely, not narrowly, distributed in the population.
Under conditions of modern industrial life, the intellectual potentialities of the average human being are only partially utilized.

Motivational Theories

Maslow’s Need Hierarchy

Physiological needs

Security or safety

Affiliation or acceptance

Esteem or status

Self actualization

Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory (Hygiene Factors and Motivators)

Hygiene Factors

Salary
Personal life

Quality of supervision
Working conditions
Job security

Interpersonal relations
Company policy
Administration
Quality of supervision

Motivators

Advancement
Recognition
Status

Challenging work
Achievement
Growth in job
Responsibility

Motivation: Positive Strokes

Also refer: (Positive Strokes) http://positive-strokes.blogspot.com/

Strokes (praise or appreciation) are a unit of recognition. Right kind of strokes given to the person you are communicating to strengthen your communication with him. It improves the mutual relationship, your emotional bank account balance with that person goes up and your communication with him elicits positive response.

Conditional positive strokes

Unconditional positive strokes

Conditional negative strokes

Unconditional negative strokes

Neutral strokes

What Motivates Me? What Motivates My Employees?

Motivational strategies for self can be worked out by prioritizing the factors that motivate me. Then I can look around and see as to how can I incorporate these factors in my workplace or look out for a workplace (an organization) that can provide me my priority motivating factors.

Same way, if you are the boss, you can design a good motivational strategy by knowing the priority factors that motivate your employees.

Just as a guide, we give below some 16 factors that may be major motivators. You may add or delete from this list.

Consider each listed item carefully in relation to your motivational needs. Select 5 most important items and rank them in their order of importance of motivating you (5 indicating highest ranking and 1 indicating lowest ranking).

Then, find out from your employees as to how they prioritize these motivational factors for themselves. Their choice of 5 most important factors (rank ordered from 5 to 1) will indicate their most important motivational needs. It will help you to decide and provide those motivators to motivate your employees.

These motivational factors are listed below:

Good and objective performance evaluation; rewards for work well done.
Appreciation from the boss, colleagues etc.
Raise in remuneration package.
Functional autonomy.
Good relationship with the boss.
Pension plan; contributory provident fund.
Perks.
Good canteen facilities.
Impressive title.
Bonus.
Opportunities for creative expression in your work.
Social functions such as annual functions, foundation day celebrations etc.
Comfortable physical working environment.
Regular training for professional and personal development.
Reimbursement of medical expenses for yourself and your family.
Effective working relationships across departments.
Any other.

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com

(Refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia “Management Universe” at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/)

Books Suggested for Your Personal/Professional and Organization's Libraries (All these books in printed book and eBook formats are available online from Amazon)

Management, Business, Self-help and Personality Development Books

1. HSoftware (Human Software) (The Only Key to Higher Effectiveness)

2. Sensitive Stories of Corporate World (Management Case Studies)

3. Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers

4. Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers (Volume 2)

5. Classic Team Building Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers

6. 101 Classic Management Games, Exercises, Energizers and Icebreakers

7. Stress? No Way!! (Handbook on Stress Management)

8. HSoftware (Shyam Bhatawdekar’s Effectiveness Model)

9. Competency Management (Competency Matrix and Competencies)

10. Soft Skills You Can’t Do Without (Goal Setting, Time Management, Assertiveness and Anger Management)

11. Essentials of Work Study (Method Study and Work Measurement)

12. Essentials of Time Management (Taking Control of Your Life)

13. Essentials of 5S Housekeeping

14. Essentials of Quality Circles

15. Essentials of Goal Setting

16. Essentials of Anger Management

17. Essentials of Assertive Behavior

18. Essentials of Performance Management & Performance Appraisal

19. Health Essentials (Health Is Wealth)

20. The Romance of Intimacy (How to Enhance Intimacy in a Relationship?)

Novels, Stories, Biographies and Travelogues

21. The Peace Crusaders (Novel: how the peace crusaders established permanent peace on a war strewn planet?)

22. Love Knows No Bounds (Novel: a refreshingly different love story. Also available with the title “Good People”)

23. Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories

24. Stories Children Will Love (Volume 1: Bhanu-Shanu-Kaju-Biju and Dholu Ram Gadbad Singh)

25. My Father (Biography)
26. Travelogue: Scandinavia, Russia
27. Travelogue: Europe

Motivation

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Motivation

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