Lee Iacocca said, “Management is nothing more than motivating other people.” Motivation, however, is often one of the most difficult aspects of management because you can’t control it—motivation depends on the response of your workforce. Most managers attempt to succeed in motivation using either positive motivation or negative motivation, the carrot or the stick.
The carrot approach to motivation basically means using encouragement or rewards to motivate your employees to improve their performance. In order to encourage your employees, communicate to them the value and purpose of their work. Equip them with the confidence to do their work by providing them with all the training they need. In addition, many managers offer rewards or recognition to employees who are excelling at their work. Try motivating employees to do their best through the offer of salary bonuses, company lunches, or simple compliments.
Another kind of motivation is the various forms of discipline. Usually this means verbal reprimands, but it can also take the form of removing responsibilities, adding supervision, or, in the extreme case, termination. Constructive criticism can remind employees that their job is serious work and that certain duties are required of them. Be kind to your employees and offer second chances, but also be firm and hold to the standards you set.
Motivation is a key aspect of workforce management because it is the main avenue by which a workforce improves its performance. Motivation is the tool that a manager uses to spur his team to meet, and exceed, goals.