Recognition Motivates Workers
Even since the very first motivational theorists of management it has been proposed that workers can be motivated by recognition for the work that they do (Maslow, Herzberg). Now this can come in many forms, employee of the months, targets and rewards but in some cases it doesn’t require ‘money’ as a motivator, just the exchange of compliments between staff. It’s even more rewarding for an employee to be thanked by an upper manager or even director as you’ll see in this case.
Let me first ask if you have been watching the Undercover Boss series on channel 4? – the documentaries follow directors who spend 5 days working in different areas of their business, meeting workers and trying out the different jobs. The main purpose of this is to see what workers actually think and feel, areas for improvements with many suggestions coming from lower level workers. Of course the business benefits from money saving/making ideas but in return employees are recognised for their efforts (in some cases rewarded) but all this leads to one thing, motivated workers!
Take a look at the series online here, look at the response of employees when recognised by the director:
