Leadership and Use of Motivation - Term Paper Example

Rewards, punishments, better work environment, opportunity for growth or further learning etc are some of the motivating factors of the employees. Leaders should identify these factors well and use it judiciously to motivate the employees positively. This paper analyses leadership and use of motivation by leaders. Leadership and use of motivation According to Dr. Northouse (2009), “Leadership is a process by which an individual influence a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Dr.

Northouse, 2009, p.3). On the other hand, Gould & Voelker, (2010) defined leadership as a “complex process that involves the effort of an individual to help groups identify and achieve personal and group goals” (Gould & Voelker, 2010, p.2). It is easy for people to become leaders; but it is difficult to become effective leaders. Leadership is a complex task which requires specific skills such as decision making, problems solving, planning etc. However, the most important characteristic of effective leadership is the ability to motivate the subordinates.

Leaders use different strategies to motivate subordinates and to derive the maximum out of them. According to psychology today “Motivation is literally the desire to do things” (Psychology today, 2011). In fact motivation is a force which destroys the employee inertia to stay in their inactive stage. It helps employees to break their idleness and to work more enthusiastically. Motivation can be classified into two categories; intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is the motivation driven by inherent characteristics whereas extrinsic motivation is the motivation driven by external factors.

Effective leaders will use strategies necessary to motivate subordinates both intrinsically and extrinsically. One of the popular motivation theory used by leaders is Theory of X and theory of Y. This theory emphasizes the different attitudes of people towards their duties and responsibilities. Theory X says that generally human being has an inherent dislike towards work. “Because of this inherent dislike of work, most people must be coerced, controlled, directed, or threatened so as to induce them to put forth enough effort so as to meet their goals and get their work done” (Furst, 2009).

Rewards and punishments are some of the strategies used by leaders to motivate people in the X category. On the other hand people in Y category believe that work is natural just like play or rest. Leaders can motivate such people easily since their attitude towards work is positive. The needs of the people are different because of the different environment in which they live. Some people may have enough financial abilities and they may like recognition more than anything else in their professional life.

On the other hand some others may not have enough financial abilities and such people may like financial rewards more than anything else. Work atmosphere is another aspect which motivates the employees. Nobody wants to work in a hostile atmosphere. Everybody wants to work under a peaceful atmosphere. Even if the organization provides, better salaries, such people may not like the organization if it provides a hostile or aggressive work environment. Leaders should be capable enough to realize all these things well and to use their motivation strategies judiciously.

In short, it is the duty of the leaders to realize what motivate a particular subordinate. The drive to acquire is an inherent need for majority of the humans. It is difficult to see an