Topic 23 - Motivation and Leadership

Question 1

Basic Motivation Methods

Answer 1

• Fair pay
• Incentives
• Permanent contracts
• Good working conditions
• Payment methods:
• commission
• bonus
• piece rate
• overtime

Question 2

Advanced Motivation Methods

Answer 2

• Staff appraisals
• Recognition
• Development opportunities
• Empowerment

Question 3

Benefits of Motivating Staff

Answer 3

• Increased productivity
• Better quality products
• Reduced staff absenteeism
• Reduced staff turnover
• Improved employees relations and fewer grievances
• Better customer service

Question 4

Herzberg’s Motivator-Hygiene Theory

Answer 4

Hygiene factors - will not motivate employees but if they are not met will lower motivation.

Motivator factors - will not lower motivation if they are absent but will increase motivation if they are.

Question 5

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 5

Self-actualisation:
Offering promotional opportunities to staff- staff will stay loyal to the business as they have future career opportunities.

Esteem:
Recognition of achievements - staff will feel valued by the business as their achievements are recognised.

Love and belonging:
Open plan offices and a good team atmosphere - staff will feel involved and needed as they can communicate and collaborate with their co-workers.

Safety:
Safe working conditions and job security - staff will feel at ease and will work harder as they are being retained by the business.

Physiological:
Living wage - staff will be able to buy basic necessities to ensure they can perform their job to the best of their ability.

Question 6

Autocratic

Answer 6

Authority and control is retained by the reader.

Advantages:
- Employees are given clear instructions
- Decisions can be made quickly
- Managers are skilled and knowledgeable

Disadvantages:
- No opportunity for delegation or empowerment, demotivating staff
- Lack of creativity in decision-making

Question 7

Democratic

Answer 7

Managers and employees work together to make decisions.

Advantages:
- Employees are motivated as they get a say in decision-making
- Encourages creativity and helps solve complex problems
- Staff may be more willing to accept changes if they are involved in decisions

Disadvantages:
- Time consuming to consult widely
- Can be hard to reach a decision that everyone accepts
- Mistakes can be made if worker aren’t skilled enough to partake in decision-making
- Employees may be less productive

Question 8

Laissez-Faire

Answer 8

Managers don’t issue instructions or supervise staff, they just let them carry out their jobs.

Advantages:
- Employees are highly empowered t make decisions, which motivates them
- Business benefits from creativity and fresh ideas
- Creates a very relaxed working environment

Disadvantages:
- Employees may feel unsupported, leading to reduced motivation and high stress
- Can lead to poor quality work or mistakes
- Can be unclear who makes a decision, which can lead to delays
- Only works when workers are highly motivated with skills and experience

Question 9

Factors Affecting Leadership Style

Answer 9

• The task
• Time available
• Skills of staff
• Motivation of staff
• Leader’s own personality
• Group size
• Corporate culture
• Availability of finance