One more time: How do you motivate employees?Frederick Herzberg (Harvard Business Review, Jan 2008)Reviewed by admin Mon 24 Nov 08 Bob's Rating: How many times have you heard managers say “If only my people were more motivated”? Frederick Herzberg in his classic HBR article “One more time: How do you motivate employees?” has the answer. This is another of the classic HBR articles and is arguably the most popular of all time – and for good reason. Herzberg simplifies the complex issue of employee motivation to two factors – the satisfiers (or hygiene) and the motivators. Both of which he stresses are important, but for very different reasons. Satisfiers include money, supervision and working conditions. While the motivators include achievement, recognition for achievement, responsibility, meaningful work and opportunity for personal growth. It’s interesting reading his advice again so many years after it was first written. The failed attempts by organisations at motivating people all those years ago as outlined by Herzberg, are still being attempted by many organisations today with just as little success – increased wages/salaries, benefits, communication training and so on. None of them have any impact on employee motivation. If you’ve heard of Herzberg’s theories but don’t know the dteilas, this original source is a must read. Even if you have little knowledge of his theories, but are interested in what motivates all of us, this is essential reading. |
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