Motivation as a Tool of Management and Leadership (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Business): Revision Note

Motivation and business objectives

• Motivation is the inner desire or willingness that drives a person to achieve a specific goal or outcome

  • Intrinsic motivation comes from within a person (values, beliefs, etc.)

  • Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors (rewards or punishments)

• Motivation plays a critical role in a business's success and can have a significant impact on productivity, reliability, worker loyalty and labour turnover

Productivity

• Motivated employees are productive and efficient, as they are likely to be engaged in work and take initiative to meet or exceed goals

  • They generate high levels of output and quality, leading to higher profits

Reliability of workers

• Motivated employees are likely to be reliable

• They take pride in their job, show up on time, meet deadlines and take few sick days

  • This leads to increased trust between the business and its employees and higher productivity

Labour turnover

• Motivated employees are likely to stay with a business long-term, which reduces staff turnover

  • This reduces the need for costly recruitment and training

Satisfying human needs at work

• Human needs are the essentials people must have to live a healthy, safe and decent life

  • Without these, people cannot survive or function properly

Examples of human needs

• Humans also have wants, which are things people would like to have to improve their quality of life, but they are not essential for survival

Examples of human wants

• Businesses that help meet both needs and wants are likely to attract and retain motivated, satisfied employees

• However, needs and wants cannot always be met in the workplace

  • Some jobs do not meet basic needs

    • Not all work provides sufficient income or security to meet essential human needs like food, shelter or safety

      • E.g. A worker on a very low wage may still struggle to pay rent or afford proper meals

  • Work may not provide emotional or social support

    • Jobs that involve isolation, high stress or poor management may make employees lonely or undervalued.

      • E.g. A delivery driver working long shifts alone may not feel socially connected

  • Not all workplaces offer personal growth or fulfilment

    • not every job offers opportunities to develop skills or achieve career success

      • E.g. An office worker doing repetitive tasks with no chance for promotion may feel stuck or bored, even if they earn a good wage