WHAT IS MOTIVATION? People consider it to be a personal trait that is some have it some dont.

In practice inexperienced managers often label people who lack motivation as lazy. But it isnt true. What we know is that motivation is the result of the interaction of the individual and the situation. Individuals differ in their motivational drive.

DEFINITION Motivation Satisfying the needs of workers and employees to increase their productivity

Hierarchy of Needs Theory Its probably safe to say that the most well-known theory of motivation is Abraham Maslows hierarchy of needs. He hypothesized that within every human being there exists a hierarchy of five needs. These needs are: 1. Physiological : - Includes hunger, thirst, shelter, sex, another bodily needs 2. Safety : - Includes security and protection from physical and emotional harm

3. Social : - Includes affection, belongingness, acceptance and friendship 4. Esteem : - Includes internal esteem factors such as self-respect, autonomy and achievement; and external esteem factors such as status, recognition, and attention 5. Self-actualization : - The drive to become what one is capable of becoming; includes growth, achieving ones potential, and self-fulfillment As each of these needs becomes substantially satisfied, the next need becomes dominant. In terms of the figure, the individual moves up the steps of the hierarchy. From the standpoint of motivation, the theory would say that although no need is fully gratified, a substantially satisfied need no longer motivates.

As each of these needs becomes substantially satisfied, the next need becomes dominant. In terms of the figure, the individual moves up the steps of the hierarchy. From the standpoint of motivation, the theory would say that although no need is fully gratified, a substantially satisfied needs no longer motivation.

So if you want to motivate someone, according to Maslow, you need to understand what level of the hierarchy that person is currently on and focus on satisfying the needs at or above that level. Maslow separated the five needs into higher and lower orders. Physiological and safety needs were described as Lower-order And social, esteem, and self-actualization as Higher-order needs. The differentiation between the two orders was made on the premise that higher-order needs are satisfied internally (within the person), whereas lower-order needs are predominantly satisfied externally (by things such as pay, union contracts, and tenure).Maslows need theory has received wide recognition, particularly among practicing managers. This can be attributed to the theorys intuitive logic and ease of understanding. Unfortunately, however, research does not generally validate the theory. Maslow provided no empirical substantiation, and several studies that sought to validate the theory found no support for it.