What is motivation and how does it work?
Motivation is the combination of a person’s desire and energy which is directed at achieving a goal. It is a cause of action.[1] Motivation can be intrinsic (satisfaction, feeling of achievement) or extrinsic (reward, punishment, or goal obtainment). Motivating an employee is one of the more difficult tasks for a leader since what motivates one employee may not motivate another, and over time, even those motivations evolve.[2] A young employee is not always motivated by the same things that an older employee might be. A parent may be motivated by extra time off with his or her children; an employee without children may instead appreciate a financial reward. Men and women differ in their motivation as well. Research at Ohio State University suggests there maybe 16 basic desires that guide motivation.[3] A good leader must take the time to learn what motivates each of his employees in order to make that employee the most effective. The Evolution of Motivation and Money Money is no longer
