Foundation of org behavior

5.2 Discussion: Employee Motivation

Getting Started

As you have been recognized for accomplishments in the workplace, have they been at the individual or group level? Often it is difficult for leaders to ascertain who has contributed the most to a team project and who should be rewarded or recognized. In some cases, the leader uses rewards to motivate employees to increase performance. In other cases, rewards are used for the leader’s self-benefit. This discussion will give you the opportunity to consider the interaction of motivation at the individual and team levels.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Address effective motivational strategies.

· Explain how leaders use rewards for motivating employees.

Background Information

One of the key challenges that organizational leaders face is designing motivational processes that work well. If designed poorly, the motivational processes can do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. For example, an organization that focuses on individual rewards could put team members in a situation where it is more beneficial for them (personally) to pursue individual goals and accomplishments instead of team goals. Or, conversely, seeking team goals might cost them potential individual benefits. If a leader can design a system that navigates both individual and team level rewards well, their organization may find a competitive advantage.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Read  Chapter 5(PDF document)  and  Chapter 6(PDF document)  in the text An Introduction to Organization Behavior.

a. Terms of Use: This work is licensed under a  Creative Commons(new tab)   by-nc-sa 3.0(new tab)  license. The original version can be found  here(new tab) .

3. Read Chapter 9, pp. 231 – 235 in Discovering Leadership: Designing Your Success by Middlebrook et.

a. This text was used in a previous course, so you may already have access to it.

b. If you don’t have this text, you may request this resource directly from Online Campus Library Services (OCLS). OCLS will email the resource to you within one (1) business day, not including weekends and holidays.

c. Please include all the information needed for this request: author, publication year, title, and publication information (see the syllabus).

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4. Read the article,  How Company Culture Shapes Employee Motivation(new tab) .