Objectives of Motivation in the Workplace
Having motivated workers has shown to be linked with higher job satisfaction, increased performance and retention. Motivated workers are willing participants in a position and want to perform job requirements. Workers who are not motivated usually perform tasks out of obligation. Some people are innately motivated and have high levels of motivation where others require incentives. Employers can use various strategies to help increase motivation.
Increasing worker motivation means workers willingly carry out the tasks required by the job. This also means managers are less likely to pull teeth to try to get a worker to perform tasks. The job description should match duties, qualities and competencies of the position. This helps administrators and workers understand the demands of the position before, during and after coming into a position.
Increasing worker motivation serves to help organizations meet internal and external goals. Increasing worker motivation has shown to increase job performance levels. Administrators should help workers feel as part of a team in the organization. Increased worker performance usually means increased customer satisfaction.
An administrative team that includes the workforce in decision-making processes for strategic planning in achieving organizational goals has shown to increase worker retention. Helping workers feel engaged throughout the process increases worker motivation and to feel invested in the organization. Increasing worker motivation and job satisfaction has been linked to higher rates of retention and increased worker productivity.
A poor working environment can make any good worker lose motivation. Job incentives such as competitive pay, benefits and programs such as tuition reimbursement, flexible hours, scheduling and time-off show increased levels of worker job satisfaction. Since most workers do not stay at the same position for an entire career, training programs have shown to increase job satisfaction. Increased job satisfaction has shown to increase worker motivation, which then increases job retention rates, performance and productivity.
Supervisors may be the problem. Managers who are flexible and understand, recognize and respond to worker’s needs may have employees who are more motivated. Supervisors who are difficult to work with may have workers who are less motivated and therefore have workers who have decreased levels of job performance.