BUS640 Study Guide
Unit 2: Motivation
2a. Contrast how leadership styles affect individual motivation and their impact on performance
- What is an example of how a leader might affect employee motivation?
- How does employee motivation affect company performance?
- Why is it important to understand leadership styles and employee motivation?
Effective leaders can greatly influence employee motivation, and as a result, this may affect the company's bottom line. Keeping employees motivated and focused on company goals can be difficult. A good leader can impact employee motivation and keep people focused. A manager with a transformational leadership style may use a shared company vision to motivate employees.
While an autocratic leader may depend on their employees to have extrinsic or outside motivation. An example may be paying people a higher salary for a job that most people may not want to do; the motivation comes from outside the organization, such as supporting a family or trying to buy a better house. They may not be motivated by the workplace but by the salary they receive to buy something they desire. In this example, an autocratic leader is not concerned with employee motivation but knows that a higher salary is motivation enough.
To review, see:
2b. Evaluate motivation practices that turn employees into high-performers
- What is an example of how an employee can be turned into a high performer?
- What motivational practices can leaders use to move employees?
- Why is it important to use motivational practices in business today?
Reviewing numerous ways to motivate employees is important for any manager today, and some employees may turn into high performers. These are typically employees that companies want to invest in and support. High-performing employees tend to produce more for an organization and will affect the bottom line.
Motivational practices might include:
- rewards or bonuses
- a positive or uplifting working environment
- giving positive feedback
- ensuring career and personal development of employees
Every employee will be motivated differently, and a manager needs to determine how their employees are motivated. Some employees may prefer hearing positive feedback over receiving a monetary reward, and for these employees, it's important that they receive the type of motivation they require. By receiving the appropriate motivational reward, an employee may become high-performing.
To review, see:
2c. Compare the different roles, responsibilities, and structures of motivation and how they influence behavior
- What are the different roles and structures of employee motivation?
- How might a different structure of motivation influence employee behavior?
- Why is it important to determine how employee behavior is influenced?
Organizational structure may include how roles and responsibilities are organized to achieve company goals. This is a process of organizing departments and how business is conducted. Depending on how well an organization's structure is developed, this may affect employee behavior and motivation.
For example, a poorly developed organizational structure may lead to poor employee performance. If a company has 20 managers and all of the managers report to the CEO, the structure may not be effective. This structure may show that the CEO wants to retain control of all decisions made instead of allowing management to be responsible for their areas. Instead, a more effective structure may be to have four vice presidents who then supervise managers based on department. It is important to consider an organization's various roles, responsibilities, and structures and how they may affect employee motivation.
To review, see:
2d. Analyze how organizational strategy, culture, and technology all have to be aligned for employees to be motivated for high performance
- What is an example of how culture affects employee motivation?
- Why is it important to consider employee motivation in terms of high performers?
- How does technology affect employee motivation?
It's important to consider an organization's climate regarding employee motivation. Organizational climate might encompass organizational strategy, culture, and technology. For example, technology can make employees' jobs easier by increasing efficiency and communication. An employee may be more motivated if they feel they are more productive. Ensuring that the organization keeps up with technology is important for employee motivation and driving high-performing employees.
Considering the company culture is also important to evaluate. A strong corporate culture will allow employees to feel valued and have control over their job. This can motivate employees who want to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. The more motivated an employee is, the better the potential for high performance. Company structure is also important to consider, as employees have a better sense of clarity about their jobs and how they fit into the organization's overall goals. This sense of clarity can lead to better employee motivation and engagement.
To review, see:
Unit 2 Vocabulary
This vocabulary list includes terms you will need to know to successfully complete the final exam.
- company culture
- employee motivation
- motivational practices
- organizational climate
- organizational structure