Motivation and Leadership are intrinsically linked in the fact that one allows an easement in the process of the other. Without the ability to use the mutual relationship of leadership to influence the motivators of followers, leaders stagnate and are limited by their own inability to accomplish all that must be for real change to occur. In less Rostonian terms (that is, based on Rost (1993)), without a motivated group of followers leaders are stranded and not achieving to a level of excellence. This paper will discuss some areas of importance for motivation in leadership as well as an application to leadership theory and a discussion on personal motivators. Motivation is the reason or purpose behind action, or what causes one to act in …show more content…
Osland, et al. (2007) provide a good introduction to three basic motivational content theories. The first theory is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs that proposes man is motivated by a lack in the one or more of the five common needs. The needs that Maslow identifies are physiological, safety, social belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. Maslow believed that one fills needs from the most basic (like food and water) to the highest level (self-actualization). Maslow’s ideas are easy to relate to and attempt to provide an all-inclusive approach to the concept of motivation; however, there is little evidence to support the idea that man cannot have self-actualization without the other more basic needs first satisfied. The second content theory Osland, et al. discuss is McCelland’s learned needs. McCelland states that man is motivated by one of three things: achievement, power, or affiliation – or a mixture of the three. Each of these needs can possess a negative or positive connotation or implementation, but it is argued that people motivated by affiliation make better leaders. The third theory presented is McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y. McGregor asserts that Theory X people or employees are inherently lazy and must be controlled and forced to act, whereas Theory Y people are self-controlled, motivated, and ambitious. Steers, et al. (1996) identify an additional theory of motivation, which builds on Maslow’s
Motivation is defined as having a strong reason to act or accomplish something. This reason to act could be a variety of things. The motivation one receives can also come in many forms. For some, the act for themselves; others act for someone else. Still others receive their motivation from another who has complete faith in them to accomplish their task. In the epic poem The Odyssey, by the Greek poet Homer, the main character, Odysseus, is motivated to return home by the courage he receives from the goddess, Athena.
Communication needs to be genuinely interactive, with the team members building on each others comments and suggestions adding fresh perspective in order to move things forward. Everybody within the team needs to develop their own interactive and communication skills, they will need to know how to talk with, explain to, agree with, disagree with, listen to and convince. As humans we are dependant, independent and interdependent on others within our environment.
Leadership is one of the main areas of study nowadays. A number of books, articles, and research papers are written on this discipline and we receive much information about this. Leadership is a relationship between leaders and followers, and building this relationship requires an appreciation for the personal values of those who would be willing to give their ener¬gy and talents to accomplish shared objectives. Transformational leadership and leader-member exchange are popular theories in the leadership arena. Various researchers and writers have established the validity of these concepts. A number of writers emphasize the role of fairness in the relation between a leader and a follower. In this essay I will try to compare and contrast
The definition of motivation according to Dictionary.com is: “The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way; the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.” Where it gets confusing is in the reason for behaving a certain way. What is it that causes a person to perform a task? Is it something that comes from deep inside of the person or is
Do I possess the traits and behaviors associated with leadership? If not, can I now learn how to be a leader at this stage of my life? What kind of leader am I? Is that the kind of leader I want to be? What do my superiors, co-workers, friends, and family think of my leadership style and ability? Why am I sometimes uncomfortable talking about myself as a leader? Working my way through the text, interviewing colleagues, and checking into other resources, I can form a personal picture and embrace a personal theory about my own leadership style and ability. I may have stirred up more questions than I am able to answer but the process has been a fascinating insight to self-discovery. The end result is a desire to try
How should leaders and managers address workplace issues based on specific styles of leadership? …………………………………………………………………………………….....3
Motivation is a word used to refer to the reason or reasons for engaging in a particular behaviour especially human behaviour. These reasons may include a drive, a need, a desire to achieve a goal, a state of being, or an ideal. In human beings, motivation involves both conscious and subconscious drives.
The Leadership Potential assessment (Lussier & Achua, 2010, p. 3) yielded a score of 31 where the range was from 0 to 35; 0 representing low leadership potential and 35 representing the highest leadership potential. In this assessment the higher the score, from a generic standpoint, the more potential for leadership exists. However, it does not assess your willingness to do what it takes to lead or desire to lead.
Great leadership is the key to success in any organization. To strive to be a great leader is to strive to excel in all facets of life, setting an example and inspiring others. Motivation is a key characteristic to successful leadership and it is the basis or core principal guiding my leadership philosophy. I describe someone who is motivated as someone who demonstrates drive, determination, and willingness. Someone who is motivated, striving in all aspects of life, will succeed in their leadership endeavors. As my own guiding principle, I strive to be the best I can be in all aspects of my life, which translates well to leadership. Personal motivation is directly related to several theories including House’s Path Goal theory, transformational leadership theory, and bases of power theory, and is therefore essential to successful leadership.
Motivation is a theoretically construct that used to explain our behaviour. It represents the reasons for people's desire or actions. Motivation can also be defined as what causes a person want to repeat behaviour or one's direction to behaviour. Behaviour is the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.
title, rank, or degrees doesn’t qualify anyone to lead other people. And the ability doesn’t
Leaders complain that cutting-edge communication technology often takes away time needed to think and reflect on decisions. At the touch of a finger questions and answers can be sent, reports can be generated and one-on-one communication can be established virtually anywhere in the world. Perhaps what these leaders are really saying is that they are resisting change. Technology is here to stay and leaders have to get on board and become proficient in it’s use because many of the people that are being led are very proficient in the latest I pads, IPods, cell phones, email, Skype, and many other forms of communication. If a leader is being pounded with so many messages that the thought process is being impaired, I suggest turning off your I Pad and taking time out to speak with Jesus, lest we allow anything or anybody to separate us from hearing and understanding what Jesus intends for us to do.
The term motivation can be described in many different formats and views, but according to Dr Stephen P. Robbins, this is the process that account for an individuals intensity, direction and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal (S. P. Robbins, Organizational Behaviour 9ed, p.155). However, I will describe motivation as any factor which will cause an increase in my normal input into doing something, and with the knowledge and hope that a reward will be gained afterwards.
According to Alan Chapman, one of the main theories relating to motivation is “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” People have needs. A need is a lack of something-something we want (Chapman, 1995). It is imperative that in order to be a successful leader, hence, exemplifying leadership qualities, one must understand the basic foundation of leadership. This foundation is built on knowledge, understanding, and most importantly, the desire to be successful no matter what area or discipline one chooses.
Today we would like to start this month’s newsletter with a couple of timely questions for all the leadership types. For example, when was the last time that your leadership level grew? In addition, what steps are being taken to fight back the tendency to manage instead of leading oneself and others? Finally, what resources are you using to provide a basis for leadership growth in your personal as well as professional life.