Expectancy Theory: The Importance Of Motivation To Me

Motivation to me is any act or deed that encourages me to do more especially in a situation that looks difficult or tiring. Motivation is a word or gift that makes me feel appreciated and makes me want to do more to please who ever. Motivation to me in my organization is good working environment, good interpersonal relationship between myself and my superiors as well as my subordinates. Being appreciated by my colleagues and customers motivates me, also knowing that at the end of the day someone somewhere is happy and comfortable also motivates me and obviously a good salary.

The first theory which practically motivates me and my colleagues is the Hawthorne effect, it was originally reported by Henry A. Landsberger in 1950 who became aware

It suggests that people will choose how to behave depending on the outcomes they expect as a result of efforts. This suggests that that people get motivated because of what they gain at the end of their work, be it a raise in salary, bonuses awards or other incentives that would encourage them. According to Contactzilla (an online hub), Expectancy Theory is based on three elements; Expectancy, the belief that your effort will result in your desired goal. This is based on your past experience, your self-confidence and how difficult you think the goal is to achieve. Instrumentality, the belief that you will receive a reward if you meet performance expectations. Valence, the value you place on the reward. Rewards do not have to be tangible gifts or necessarily monetary but a word of encouragement, a recommendation or promotion. A very practical example is when you visit banks like Standard Chartered, Ecobank or an MTN office and find a frame of an employee being the hardworking employee of the month this act motivates the rest to also want to be praised or congratulated or appreciated so they also work harder to be in that

It was coined by psychologist Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation”. The hierarchy is made up of 5 levels; Physiological, these needs must be met in order for a person to survive, such as food, water and shelter. Safety, including personal and financial security and health and wellbeing. Love/belonging, the need for friendships, relationships and family. Esteem, the need to feel confident and be respected by others. Self-actualization, the desire to achieve everything you possibly can and become the most that you can be. According to Abraham Maslow, before a person can the most or best of themselves, they have to have the basic needs of shelter, water and food, their security must be assured both physically and financially, have a sense of belonging and also have confidence in themselves. In an organization, employees need to feel like they are family, regular checkups on their wellbeing and the need to feel wanted needed by their organization and not just as employees. Employers should support their employees when necessary and possibly give employees access to loans from the organization and allow them to have lenient and flexible working schedule so that they can also pay attention to other aspects of their lives like their families.

In conclusion, motivation may be in several ways depending on an individual or an organization and this could be achieved using different theories such as the Hawthorne effect,