Motivating employees
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| motivated | 有积极性的 | yǒu jī jí xìng de |
| productivity | 生产率 | shēng chǎn lǜ |
| recognition | 认可 | rèn kě |
| hierarchy | 层级 | céng jí |
| self-actualisation | 自我实现 | zì wǒ shí xiàn |
| financial | 金钱激励 | jīn qián jī lì |
| bonuses | 奖金 | jiǎng jīn |
| commission | 佣金 | yòng jīn |
| non-financial | 非金钱激励 | fēi jīn qián jī lì |
| job enrichment | 工作丰富化 | gōng zuò fēng fù huà |
Why motivation matters
- A motivated 有积极性的 worker turns up on time, works hard and stays. An unmotivated one is slow, careless and soon leaves.
- Keeping staff motivated lifts productivity 生产率, quality and loyalty — so every business cares about it.
A well-motivated workforce is likely to have:
Motivation raises productivity and retention.
Why people work
- People work for money, but also for security, belonging, recognition 认可 and achievement.
- Understanding these needs helps managers motivate staff.
Maslow's hierarchy 层级: people meet lower needs before higher ones
Motivated workers work harder, raising output
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
People are motivated by a ladder of needs — a business motivates staff by helping them up it.
In Maslow's hierarchy, which need must be met first?
Basic needs come first in the hierarchy.
Maslow arranged needs in a ______, with basic needs at the bottom.
Each level must be met before the next motivates.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
- Maslow said needs come in a hierarchy, lowest first.
- Once a level is met, the next becomes the motivator — up to self-actualisation 自我实现.
Lower needs must be met before higher ones motivate.
Which are financial methods of motivation? (Select all that apply.)
Praise is non-financial; the others are financial.
Job enrichment is a non-financial method of motivation.
It motivates by making work more rewarding, not by pay.
Ways to motivate
- Financial 金钱激励: wages, salaries, bonuses 奖金, commission 佣金, piece rates, profit-sharing.
- Non-financial 非金钱激励: praise, job rotation, job enrichment 工作丰富化, teamwork, promotion.
Money is not the only motivator. Once pay is enough, factors like recognition, responsibility and good teamwork often matter more. The best approach mixes financial and non-financial methods.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs, with workplace examples at each level
You've got it
- motivation lifts productivity, quality and loyalty
- Maslow's hierarchy: lower needs first, up to self-actualisation
- motivate with financial (pay, bonus) and non-financial (praise, enrichment) methods