Q&A - What is motivation?

Motivation is essentially about commitment to doing something.  In the context of a business, motivation can be said to be about...“the will to work”

Motivation can come from the enjoyment of the work itself and/or from the desire to achieve certain goals e.g. earn more money or achieve promotion. 

It can also come from the sense of satisfaction that we gain from completing something, or achieving a successful outcome after a difficult project or problem solved.

Why does motivation matter in business?  In short, people’s behaviour is determined by what motivates them.

The performance of employees is a product of both their abilities (e.g. skills & experience) and motivation.  A talented employee who feels de-motivated is unlikely to perform well at work, whereas a motivated employee can often deliver far more than is expected from them!

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Revision presentation - motivation in practice [17 Jan 2010]
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Motivation in practice - how not to do it - lessons from Britain’s bosses [1 Sep 2009]
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Motivation in Action - Is this the Worlds Best Job? [7 May 2009]
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