Section 2: Motivation

Motivating the team

The success of any organisation can almost always be linked to motivated employees. From productivity and profitability to recruiting and retention, hardworking and enthusiastic employees lead to business success.

Unfortunately, motivating people is far from an exact science. Motivation can be as individual as the employees who work for the organisation - what motivates one person may have no impact on their colleague and what motivates one individual may also change as their circumstances alter. Select the logo below for an example of how one organisation seeks to motivate its employees.

As reported by The Times 100, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) offers its employees a Total Reward, a specific benefits package designed by RBS that offers flexible pension funding, health and medical benefits, paid holidays and a confidential advice service. Employees have a generous holiday allowance (between 25 and 30 days for full-time staff), with the option of buying or even selling days. Employees may also choose from a wide range of lifestyle benefits, including discounted shopping vouchers, childcare facilities and RBS financial products, such as mortgages, currency exchange, personal loans and banking at special staff discounted rates.

Activity How might this package motivate people? Record your answer in the space below. Now read our commentary.

To understand what motivates people, a leader needs a clear idea of what needs individuals want to satisfy, which needs might take precedence and what external factors might affect their behaviour. As Jack Welch, the Chief Executive of General Electric, said in Salaman et al.: 'any company trying to compete ... must figure out a way to engage the mind of every employee'.