How Do You Motivate People?
How do we intrinsically motivate employees? We can get some guidance by reviewing the findings of the classic motivation research of Dr. Frederick Herzberg. Let's review the basic findings of Herzberg's "Two Factor Motivational Model."
Satisfiers vs. Dissatisfiers
Herzberg and other researchers have found that work environments contain "hygiene" factors that, if not done well, lead to job dissatisfaction (i.e., they are "dissatisfiers"). Two key points are:
- Not doing well on these hygiene factors will contribute to job dissatisfaction.
- Doing well on these factors will not lead to job satisfaction, but will keep motivation neutral.
The primary hygiene dissatisfiers are:
- Company policy/adminstration.
- Supervision.
- Relationship with supervisor.
- Work conditions.
- Salary.
The key here is to engage with employees and develop policies, practices and work conditions that are viewed as fair and positive. You won't be contributing much to the satisfaction and motivation of employees, but you will avoid fueling dissatisfaction and demotivating them.
Wes Friesen is a proven leader and developer of high performing teams and has extensive experience in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. A former in-plant manager, he is also an award-winning university instructor and speaker, and is the president of Solomon Training and Development, which provides leadership, management and team building training. His book, Your Team Can Soar! contains 42 valuable lessons that will inspire you, and give you practical pointers to help you—and your team—soar to new heights of performance. Your Team Can Soar! can be ordered from Xulonpress.com/bookstore or wesfriesen.com. Wes can be contacted at wesmfriesen@gmail.com.
