Motivation is the key

Tue, May 13 12:10 AM

Happy and motivated workers are the key to a world-class workplace. Prof.

Nie of Switzerland's IMD Business School sums up motivation as, "Going that extra mile to provide excellent service way above and beyond normal duty." It means being able to create a culture and a platform where employees excel.

They should feel an attachment for the organisation they work for and it is only then that they can create a "wow" effect on the customers. Motivating employees is extremely important to managers and supervisors.

However, there are certain myths that continue to persist amongst the top rung about motivation. It's important to dispel these myths.

I can motivate people Not really - they have to motivate themselves. A manager cannot motivate people anymore than he can empower them.

Employees have to motivate and empower themselves. However, you can create an environment where employees can best motivate and empower themselves.

Money is a motivator Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, it is not. As Kajari Mukherjee, Professor, HRM, IIM-Calcutta, explains, "The lure of good life does motivate but it is not sustainable beyond a point.

For most, a healthy work atmosphere carries greater value." A key goal is to understand the motivations of each of your employees.

One may be greatly motivated by earning time away from his job to spend more time with his family. Another might be motivated much more by recognition of a job well done.

Fear, a good motivator Fear is a great motivator but for a very short time. That's why a lot of yelling from the boss does not have a permanent effect on the employees.

Job satisfaction Increased job satisfaction means better job performance. Research shows this isn't necessarily true at all.

Increased job satisfaction does not necessarily mean heightened job performance. If the goals of the organisation are not aligned with the goals of employees, then employees aren't effectively working toward the mission of the organisation.

It's important to remember that a manager can motivate his employees only if he is motivated himself. "If you are stressed out, it would seem everyone is, too.

Enthusiasm is contagious. If you're enthusiastic about your job, it's much easier for others to be, too," says J. Saha, HR Manager of a leading telecom company.

Ask yourself these questions before you motivate others. How is your job configured to support your own motivations? What can you do to better motivate yourself? And always work to align goals of the organisation with goals of employees.

If a manager does not do it, employees would not do it either. And if goals are not aligned then the organisation will not be able to fulfill its mission.

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