Communication and Motivational Strategies Used by Managers and Leaders - Essay Example

The critical differences between leaders and managers exist in the way they communicate, motivate and influence employee productivity.

Body

            The communication style of a manager is more aggressive as compared to leaders and the communication style used by leaders is more manipulative (Cherry, 2013). Leaders communicate aggressively because their objective is to simply get the work done. Managers do not listen to what their subordinates have to say regarding how work can be done instead, they inform the subordinates regarding the way the work should be done and expect the subordinates to follow the instructions (Yukl, 2010). In the case of leadership, the leader tries to manipulate the feelings and emotions of their followers to motivate them to work on their own and come up with innovative ideas regarding how tasks should be completed.

            The motivation strategies that a leader and a manager may use might be quite different. Managers are more likely to use extrinsic motivation strategies. When managers employ these strategies they tend to offer rewards to subordinates to externally motivate the subordinates (Yukl, 2010). These rewards can include increased pay rates as a result of the attainment of targets to reinforce similar behavior in the future. On the other hand, leaders are more likely to use motivation strategies that help motivate an individual internally (Sansone, 2000). For example, leaders may have quite an aspiring personality and followers may want to be associated with them and to gain recognition in the eyes of the leader they may work hard.

            To enhance individual and organizational productivity managers may use the carrot-and-stick approach to motivate employees. The carrot and stick approach suggests that employees should be punished for their failures and should be rewarded for their successes (Daft et al., 2008). A manager may use rewards and punishments to motivate individuals to increase their productivity. The punishment may motivate those to elevate productivity that is not attaining their targets. Leaders on the other hand may use intrinsic motivation strategies to increase the commitment of the employees to the organization and this increased commitment may help in encouraging an employee to increase productivity (Paauwe, 2004).

Conclusion

            Managers and leaders use different communication and motivational strategies to motivate their subordinates and followers to increase their productivity. Managers may use an aggressive communication style along with rewards and punishments to motivate employees to increase productivity. Leaders may use manipulative communication styles and intrinsic motivational strategies to motivate followers to increase their productivity.