Employee Motivation : Are You Doing a Good Job ?
Wendy Norfleet , Ph . D . CEO at Norfleet Integrated Solutions
Motivation plays an essential role in any organization . Motivated employees are the key to an organization and are often among its greatest assets . Further , motivated employees directly contribute to an organization ’ s success . So , why don ’ t more companies invest in creating a motivating environment ? It may be due to not fully understanding the power of employee motivation .
What is Employee Motivation ?
Motivation is a behavior , and an environment should be created that will provide employees with optimal motivation . That sounds easier than it is . Employee motivation is both tangible and intangible and focuses on how engaged an employee feels in correlation to an organization ’ s goals and results . An employee ’ s motivation is determined by the level of enthusiasm , energy level , commitment , and creativity demonstrated daily in the workplace .
Motivation falls into two categories – intrinsic and extrinsic . Intrinsic motivation comes from within , by his or her belief system or desire to do well . An employee ’ s beliefs are usually innate and are considered one of the most embedded motivational factors . Employees with deep-rooted beliefs often desire to achieve success , and their motivation can be increased through praise and positive feedback . Extrinsic motivation is based on external factors , such as awards , rewards , and recognition . External motivation can be used to promote employee willingness to learn new skills and improve intrinsic motivation .