Learn what motivates your employees: look to yourself

Supervisors and managers tend to behave as though they are responsive to somewhat different motivating forces than their employees. However, employees at all levels are basically similar in terms of what they want to obtain from work. While drives vary in intensity from person to person, the basic motivating forces remain the same. Essentially it is not possible to "motivate" another as such; it is possible only to create the conditions under which another can become self-motivated. The supervisor must appreciate the key principles of motivation, including the relationship between repetition and reinforcement and the importance of timely feedback. Also, the supervisor must learn what his or her legitimate role is concerning the fulfillment of employee needs. Successful supervisors will be those who are sensitive to their own needs and desires, credit their employees with the same or similar needs and desires, and treat employees in the manner in which they would like to be treated by higher management.