Motivational States: Understand and Shape Employee Motivation
- Author: Sheryl McAtee
- Categories:
- Tags:
- Share on:
It’s hard to measure employee motivation in the workplace. Different people are motivated by different things at different times. Given this changeability, how do we create a motivational strategy that will benefit the entire organization?
A psychological tool called Reversal Theory can help. This theory provides a list of eight motivational states that managers can use to understand and shape employee motivation. Here’s a summary:
- Serious State: Motivated by achieving important goals and outcomes.
- Playful State: Motivated by having fun with interesting work and enjoying the process.
- Conforming State: Motivated by doing things the right way, at a high level of quality using clear standards.
- Rebellious State: Motivated by finding new ways to do things, to think differently
- Mastery State: Motivated by gaining knowledge, strength or power, for yourself or to build up someone else
- Sympathy State: Motivated by caring and showing compassion, either for yourself or someone else.
- Other State: Motivated by serving others – customers, colleagues or the greater good — and by being part of a larger team or organization
- Self State: Motivated by development, improving or taking care of yourself
People are motivated by different states at different times. Managers can shape motivation by understanding what drives an individual employee and then creating an environment that supports that.
For example, when you talk about a new project, do you choose to talk about the goal and outcome? How it will help customers? How it will create new and creative services? How it will build employee skills? How much fun it will be?
Different statements will motivate different people at different times. Creating a motivationally rich environment means talking about all the different motivational states. A diverse motivational toolkit is the best strategy for building motivation in the workplace.
Choose a Seminar and Save $10
Styles & Strategies to Supervise Effectively
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
Leadership & Management Skills for Women
- CEU: 0.6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
From /person
How to Bargain & Negotiate with Vendors and Suppliers
- CEU: 0.6
- HRCI: 5.5
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
From /person
Managing with Assertive Confidence
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
From /person
Be the Manager Your Employees Want to Follow
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- PDC: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
From /person
Transitioning to Supervisor
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Apr 30
-
May 1
-
May 2
-
+ 39 more dates
In-Person Events:
- May 16, Orlando, FL
- May 29, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
-
+ 12 more dates
From /person
Leadership, Team-Building and Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Apr 30
-
May 1
-
May 2
-
+ 39 more dates
In-Person Events:
- May 14, Overland Park, KS
- May 17, Annapolis, MD
-
+ 8 more dates
From /person
Facilities Management - A 2-Day Comprehensive Course
2 Days
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 7-8
-
May 13-14
-
May 22-23
-
+ 9 more dates
From /person
Management & Leadership Skills for New Managers and Supervisors (2-Day)
2 Days
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
Apr 29-30
-
Apr 30-1
-
May 2-3
-
+ 37 more dates
In-Person Events:
- May 7-8, Washington, DC
- May 9-10, Bloomington, MN
-
+ 6 more dates
From /person
How to Supervise People
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 1
-
May 3
-
May 7
-
+ 25 more dates
From /person
A Crash Course for the First-Time Manager or Supervisor
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Apr 30
-
May 6
-
May 9
-
+ 15 more dates
In-Person Events:
- May 7, Phoenix, AZ
- May 16, Nashville, TN
From /person
How to Plan and Monitor a Budget
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 1
-
May 8
-
May 16
-
+ 1 more dates
From /person
How to Improve Employee Accountability with Remote and In-Person Teams
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 1
-
May 9
-
May 16
-
+ 5 more dates
From /person
Overcoming Negativity
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 2
-
May 6
-
May 15
-
+ 5 more dates
From /person
How to Supervise Bad Attitudes and Negative Behaviors
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 2
-
May 9
-
May 22
-
+ 9 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Jun 25, Orlando, FL
From /person
The Indispensable Office Manager
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
Virtual Seminars:
-
May 2
-
May 7
-
May 14
-
+ 5 more dates
From /person
Criticism & Discipline Skills for Managers and Supervisors
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Jun 6
-
Jun 11
-
Jun 21
-
+ 4 more dates
From /person