Classic motivational model 'could pick out business leaders'

Date: 23/10/2009

Incentives and recognition techniques from a particular motivational model could help businesses to pick out leaders of the future, it has been suggested.

Psychologist David McClelland's needs-based model of human motivation delineates three main types of motivation in the workplace: affiliation motivation, authority motivation and achievement motivation.

In an article for City Wire, Brian Sweeney makes the point that most people exhibit a combination of these characteristics, while some possess a bias for a particular motivational need, which affects their working style and consequently their behaviour.

This could help businesses to discover something about employees that may make them suitable for particular roles, he suggested.

It is also used to guide incentives and recognition.

Mr Sweeney's article follows the publication of the results of a Top Workplaces survey by Detroit Free Press, which found that using innovative motivational methods can help to boost morale during the economic downturn.

Among the suggested methods are cooking employees a surprise Belgian waffle for breakfast.

Written by Elizabeth Mewes

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