Motivation

Motivation is an interesting element in relation to leadership. I believe we tend to identify motivation as a positive element, however the definition of motivation clearly states otherwise, “act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something” Merriam-Webster dictionary (2016).  We see motivation defined in an organizational setting as, “the processes that account for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence toward attaining a goal” (Robbins & Judge, p. 2, 2011).  In both the definition and interpretation of motivation, a leader should approach motivation as a driving factor in increasing satisfaction and performance through a positive perspective.  A leader should consider the Bases of Power (Raven, 1993) and its relation to motivation.  As a leader, expert power and referent power derived from a negative aspect can be a motivating factor but can undermine goals to be worthy leaders.

Three aspects of motivation that support leadership include power, emotional intelligence, and values. Whether these aspects are viewed from a professional aspect or social aspect, these aspects affect leadership.  Power is significant as it can negate positive aspects we tend to associate with motivation.  We can motivate through various aspects of power such as coercion, reward, legitimacy, expert, referent, and informational (Raven, 1993).  We find within power we can lead through these various basis or combination of these basis of power.  For instance, in the ARMY I was one of four squad leaders.  The other three squad leaders used the basis of legitimacy to lead their squads.  Each of the squad leaders had the authority to discipline their squads with Article 15 of the Military Code.  Within Article 15 the squad leaders could restrict the soldier to 30 days of punishment and deduct their pay for a total of one month.  With this power the squad leader motivated their team through methods through authoritative means creating a negative element within motivation.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is an interesting aspect within motivation.  Emotional intelligence covers a broad range of elements within leadership, however we can focus on a few key areas of emotional intelligence in relation to motivation.  In fact, motivation is a component of EI where a leader with high EI understands motivating factors at an individual or organizational level.  For instance, comparing a leader with high EI to a leader with low EI exposes challenges a leader with low EI faces.  I have worked with many supervisors during my career and it is interesting to apply EI to these various supervisors in retrospect. For this example, I have selected a supervisor who lacked many EI components such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.  I believe most of us have experienced this type of supervisor.  This supervisor had little self-regulation and was often angry and incited fear among his staff.  While he had a power basis of legitimacy over his staff, he was unable to motivate his staff to perform at optimum level.  His department performed poorly and posted ungodly losses under his tenure.  On the opposite spectrum of EI, one supervisor who demonstrated each component of EI consistently posted profits under and produced a culture that was enjoyable and fun.  I think too often we overlook these types of supervisors because they are unselfish and credits others with organizational success rather than claiming success for themselves.  I was lucky to have experienced these two types of leaders and witness the outcomes each produced.

Power and EI are drivers in motivation that help establish leadership types or styles.  The power – EI dyad certainly appear to be an integral part of any leadership style.  I am sure this relationship will be explored as I move toward leadership theory and how to utilize this information.

References

Goleman, D. (1999). Emotional intelligence key to leadership. Health Progress, 80(2), 9.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2016). Merriam-webster dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motivation

Raven, B. H. (1993). The bases of power: Origins and recent developments. Journal of Social Issues, 49(4), 227–251.

Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2011). Organizational Behavior (14^th ed.).