{"id":65,"date":"2015-04-21T22:22:24","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T22:22:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/masterybusiness1xngcxmaster\/?post_type=chapter&p=65"},"modified":"2015-07-12T02:20:29","modified_gmt":"2015-07-12T02:20:29","slug":"reading-motivating-employees","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wmintrobusinessx51xmaster\/chapter\/reading-motivating-employees\/","title":{"raw":"Reading: Introduction to Motivational Theory","rendered":"Reading: Introduction to Motivational Theory"},"content":{"raw":"

Introduction to Motivational Theory<\/h2>\r\nMotivation<\/strong> is defined as \"the intention of achieving a goal, leading to goal-directed behavior\" (Columbia Encyclopedia,<\/em>\u00a02004, New York: Columbia University Press).<\/span> When we say that someone\u00a0is motivated, we mean that the person is trying hard to accomplish a certain task. Motivation is clearly important in order for someone to perform well. However, motivation alone is not sufficient. Ability<\/strong><\/span>\u2014having the skills and knowledge required to perform the job\u2014is also important, and is sometimes key to being effective. Finally, environmental factors\u2014having the resources, information, and support one needs to perform well\u2014are also critical to reaching\u00a0one's goals.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhat makes employees willing to \"go the extra mile\" to provide excellent service, market a company's products effectively, or achieve the goals set for them? Answering such questions can help us understand and manage the work of peers, subordinates, and even supervisors. As with many questions involving human behavior, though, the answers are anything but uniform or simple. Instead, you'll find a number of theories that explore the concept of motivation and attempt to explain its source.\r\n\r\nThe following video on\u00a0the motivational strategies used by\u00a0Zappos is a good place to begin\u00a0our discussion of motivation in business:\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/dysp4PtHgtQ\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

Introduction to Motivational Theory<\/h2>\n

Motivation<\/strong> is defined as “the intention of achieving a goal, leading to goal-directed behavior” (Columbia Encyclopedia,<\/em>\u00a02004, New York: Columbia University Press).<\/span> When we say that someone\u00a0is motivated, we mean that the person is trying hard to accomplish a certain task. Motivation is clearly important in order for someone to perform well. However, motivation alone is not sufficient. Ability<\/strong><\/span>\u2014having the skills and knowledge required to perform the job\u2014is also important, and is sometimes key to being effective. Finally, environmental factors\u2014having the resources, information, and support one needs to perform well\u2014are also critical to reaching\u00a0one’s goals.<\/p>\n

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What makes employees willing to “go the extra mile” to provide excellent service, market a company’s products effectively, or achieve the goals set for them? Answering such questions can help us understand and manage the work of peers, subordinates, and even supervisors. As with many questions involving human behavior, though, the answers are anything but uniform or simple. Instead, you’ll find a number of theories that explore the concept of motivation and attempt to explain its source.<\/p>\n

The following video on\u00a0the motivational strategies used by\u00a0Zappos is a good place to begin\u00a0our discussion of motivation in business:<\/p>\n