Misunderstandings About Motivation

      
			              Forum
			            
							              21

		            		Ndawula Primah
Student (MBA), Uganda
			            
Misunderstandings About Motivation

	          		Motivating employees is found to be hard by many people. The reason for that could well be that motivation is misunderstood. So I would like to put across and discuss all misconceptions around motivation:
People are primarily motivated financially. Motivation can be done even without financial benefits. Take an example of a thank you from your boss, a pat on the back, a recognition letter, a hand shake, and many more. All these things don't require a penny to be spent.
Motivation is a thing for managers. Motivation should not necessarily come from the boss only. I would like to point out that motivation can also come from peers among each other and even from subordinates to their bosses.
Motivation is a private thing. Motivation is also a way to influence your colleagues to work happy in a happy environment. That only "thing" that keeps them smiling everyday at work.

Any other misconceptions around motivations? Please add them!
				      
X

							  			Welcome to the Expectancy Theory forum. The topic being discussed here is: "Misunderstandings About Motivation". 
										
Get access to all of our 900 knowledge centers about management.  Join more than 1,000,000 other members. 

										Log in

Comments

																	  	Sort by date
																	  	Sort by rating
																		
Rating

										              4

						            	Candy Geiger
United States
												
				                Misunderstandings on Motivation

													Another misunderstanding is that
IV. Motivation is a pushing mechanism. Let's not forget that motiv... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	Leigh Cowan
CEO, Australia
												
				                Firm Foundations for Employee Motivation

													Of course, the "buzz", somewhat stimulated by Gallup, is
V. The premise that the key lies in employ... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	Gera
Teacher, Kenya
												
				                There is More than One MEVPIV

													I think lasting motivation comes through the alignment of the MEVPIV of the organization with the ME... Sign up
				              
										              3

						            	vincent
Nigeria
												
				                Assess Employee's Needs Before Motivating

													Another misconception about motivating people is:
VI. The belief that generic things like pressure,... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	Prasad Chundi
Consultant, India
												
				                Broader View of Motivation

													I agree with misconception #1 (People are primarily motivated financially).
Motivating is the actio... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	sunil

				                Money Remains Important in Motivation

													In misperception #I. People are primarily motivated financially, "motivation can be done even withou... Sign up
				              
										              1

						            	Terry W Flanary
Manager, United States
												
				                Motivation Factors Differ per Individual

													I agree with @vincent. My experience says motivation factors differ per individual. I've seen the ex... Sign up
				              
										              1

						            	Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands
												
				                The 7th Misconception About Motivation

													@sunil: Surely there are situations in which money and salary ARE important for motivating. Thanks f... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	Helen Strong
Business Consultant, South Africa
												
				                #8. Motivation Follows Only from Positive Incentives

													The above discussion has not covered the impact of 'negative motivation' on employee behaviour. But ... Sign up
				              
										              0

						            	Maurice Hogarth
Consultant, United Kingdom
												
				                Confusing Motivation with Motivating

													Motivation is 100% internal. Everyone is permanently 100% motivated.
"motiv(e)" = "reason", "ation"... Sign up
				              
										              1

						            	Sashi Rao
Management Consultant, India
												
				                Motivation - Tangible and Intangible Benefits

													"Motivation" and "being motivated" could be seen from the perspectives of tangible and intangible be... Sign up
				              
										              2

						            	Bill Hassey
Professor, United States
												
				                Motivation is from Within

													I fully agree with those who have said that motivation is internal. In my experience, motivation is ... Sign up 10-3-2023
				              
										              0

						            	Norman Dragt
Netherlands
												
				                Is Motivation Misunderstood or Complex to Implement?

													I would not immediatly say that motivation is misunderstood. More it is rather complex. That's why i... Sign up 10-3-2023
				              
										              0

						            	Leigh Cowan
CEO, Australia
												
				                Motivating Workers Means Harmony of Beliefs, and Thoughts Throughout the Organisations - Ensuring Teamwork and Selfless Collaboration!

													@Gera: I disagree, Gera. A genuine, valid, MEVPIV, must be "crafted" in response and with the partic... Sign up 11-3-2023
				              
										              1

						            	Frederic A Parker
Consultant, United States
												
				                Motivation is an Inside Job

													@Candy Geiger: Excellent comment - motivation is an inside job. You can't motivate anyone, other tha... Sign up 13-3-2023
				              
Leave a comment

		                            More on Expectancy Theory:
		                          
													            	Summary
													            
												              Discussion Topics
												            
		                          	How Can You Motivate Knowledge Workers?
What Motivates Employees? The Answer Depends (Partly) on their Generation
All 3 Elements in Expectancy Theory are Mandatory
Why People Want to Become Leaders? Motivations to Lead
👀Misunderstandings About Motivation
Motivation in Non-Profit Organizations
🔥How to Deal with Demotivated Employees: Learned Helplessness
Controlling the Minds of Employees
Is your Job Meaningful?
Extended Version of the Expectancy Theory (Lambright)
What Precisely is Expectancy? Definition
Motivating an Employee by Valence
Expectancy Theory versus Human Needs?
Effort Leads to Performance, But Only to a Certain Extent
Human Motivation Lies Within
What Precisely is Valence? Definition of Valence
Measuring Motivation:The PIAV Assessment
Motivation is Owned by the Individual
Motivation Should be a Two-way Process
Problems with Expectancy Theory. Disadvantages
Identify your Passion for Success
The Importance of the Goals in Motivating Workers

		                              Special Interest Group
		                            
Do you know a lot about Expectancy Theory? Become our SIG Leader