Work motivation is linked to emotional intelligence.
Work motivation is an individual's willingness to make efforts in the workplace . It is about the stimulation that the subject has to commit to their activity.
The term motivation refers to the set of elements, both internal and external, that affect the development of the actions of a human being. Labor , meanwhile, is something linked to work: a paid activity.
Characteristics of work motivation
Work motivation is the result of a psychological process that directs the worker's behavior towards the fulfillment of certain objectives. Their determination occurs through the combination of factors that influence the person's commitment and enthusiasm regarding their work.
It is usually indicated that work motivation is associated with the satisfaction generated by effort at work . When sacrifice and responsibility are felt to be rewarded, motivation is maintained or grows. On the other hand, if it is thought that the effort is in vain since there is no recognition of the employee by the employer, work motivation decreases.
In general it is said that work motivation is what drives action. Logic indicates that the worker is always motivated to try to grow in the company, advance in their career development or obtain some type of benefit. When there are no possibilities for progress or there is no work well-being, demotivation appears.
Occupational health care contributes to work motivation.
Classification according to type
It is possible to differentiate between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation . Intrinsic work motivation arises from the worker himself and is associated with his internal motives: he enjoys the activity, experiences identification with the organizational culture, etc. It has to do with the personality of the subject and their emotions.
Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, depends on external influences. The work environment, team dynamics and financial incentives are among the factors that are external to the subject.
It should be taken into account that all these variables can be positive or negative for work motivation. There are issues that encourage the growth of motivation and others that have the opposite effect.
There are analysts who also allude to a transcendent motivation . This idea arises from the theory of motivation and need of Maslow , a 20th century American psychologist. For Abraham Maslow , after the satisfaction of basic needs, the desire for self-realization appears. In that instance, the person is motivated with the intention of causing a positive impact on their environment or even on general humanity, which in this case would be possible through their work activity.
Recognition programs increase work motivation.
Importance of work motivation
Work motivation is important for the worker and for the company. In the case of the person, there is a direct link between motivation and job satisfaction .
A motivated employee who enjoys autonomy at work tends to make decisions that benefit both him and the company and is willing to resolve conflicts. This reduces work stress, to mention one benefit.
Various investigations, on the other hand, reveal that the motivation of workers is key to the success of the organization . Productivity increases in tune with work motivation, while absenteeism falls if employees are motivated.
This reality leads companies to try to maximize the motivation of their human resources. To this end, they usually establish a recognition and reward system .
Facilitating work-life balance through work flexibility in time management and through the possibility of remote work is one of the common strategies. The physical work environment is also taken care of to offer optimal conditions in terms of comfort, tranquility and security.
Training and development plans to promote professional growth are another resource to motivate workers. Of course, we cannot fail to mention the prizes and financial incentives .
For companies, setting common objectives and goals with employees is essential. There should be constructive feedback and a feedback culture that helps strengthen the relationship.
How to measure
Worker organizational commitment can be measured in several ways. Everyday observation is the simplest method although it can be difficult to document and analyze. This is a methodology that is usually informal.
Job satisfaction surveys , meanwhile, help collect information provided by the employees themselves. They must be anonymous to facilitate honest responses.
Another possibility is the development of workshops . These types of activities allow managers to carry out an evaluation of the situation.
Of course, these techniques are not mutually exclusive. They can be combined and complemented to offer a broad and precise overview.
Examples of work motivation
Suppose that a telephone company pays a 25% commission to each salesperson who manages to complete a transaction. This incentive helps increase work motivation: workers know that, if they manage to sell, they earn more. This award is complemented by other non-financial benefits, such as wellness programs and assistance in developing job skills.
Take the case of an emergency medical company. Employees are under great pressure all the time: that is why mindfulness is promoted at work and workers are trained in relaxation techniques . The intention is to combat stress to maintain motivation.
In a media outlet, meanwhile, the editor-in-chief can contribute to work motivation by allowing journalists to self-manage , demonstrating their trust in the team and promoting creativity and innovation.