Workplace Motivation

Have you ever asked yourself the question, what keeps employees motivated in the workplace? The answer is simple; people are generally motivated by intrusive and extrusive factors. Intrusive motivation is influenced by an inward interest or satisfaction of a person. Intrusive motivators are very valuable because it enhances persistence, creativity and well being. Extrusive motivation involves those things which are tangible, such as rewards and incentives. Extrusive motivators tend to lose their motivating properties because they are influenced by social and environmental factors. People are driven by motivation. It is essential that organizations implement motivational strategies in the workplace in order to improve performance and increase productivity. The implementation of motivational theories in an organization has the ability to positively impact both management and employee.

Although extensive research has been conducted on motivation, motivation is not always clearly understood; therefore, motivation is sometimes poorly practiced. Human nature itself must be understood in order to understand motivation (Accel-Team, 2010). Human nature is complex, but yet very simple. We have to understand the reason people do what they do. According to Accel-Team (2010), “Quite apart from the benefit and morale value of an altruistic approach to treating colleagues as human beings and respecting human dignity in all its forms, research and observations shows that well motivated employees are more productive and creative” (para. 2). Respect goes a long way, but motivation goes even further. Unless people are motivated, they will generally do whatever they want to do.

I am employed with United Parcel Services, known as UPS. I have been employed with UPS for five years. UPS is a fortune 500 company that has been in the shipping industry for approximately 103 years. I often ask myself, why get out of bed every morning and go to work. There are many reason and they all...