Motivation Theory (Essay Sample)

This paper describes the motivation for individual success in the hierarchical theory of needs. The author shares their experience and demonstrates that among all the known theories, Maslow best describes the motivation that causes the author to pursue self-actualization. Maslow's theory proposes five levels of human needs: Basic physiological requirements, safety, affiliation, esteem, and, final and fulfilling, self-actualization. As per the author, this hierarchy is thus consistent with his self-organizing aspect and self-actualization needs. Thus, the paper mainly describes variations regarding motivation from one person to another. In the author's case, motivational factors include the need for achievement, self-actualization, and recognition. As a point of illustration, the author gives an example of her previous workplace where the commission application was made. This was implemented to encourage the sales employees, and the leadership presumed that money would help ensure that they performed better. However, due to the author's dissatisfaction, the commission structure needed to be constructed to meet their motivational preferences. They came to prove that other nonfinancial motives, such as personal development and acknowledgment, mattered a lot to the author, and they needed to be better provided by the incentive system. The discrepancy between the incentive strategy at the company and the author's personal Self-AFC drive resulted in disengagement and poor performance. This scenario underscores the need to remember that people are not motivated similarly. Therefore, using what we consider suitable to apply to another person is incorrect. The author also opines that these psychological differences should be considered by organizations and provide motivational plans that will help foster the best out of human resources. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the applicability of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It shows that organizations should not rely on a single motivational theory since employees have vast and different psychological requirements. This approach can prove efficient in managing the working environment and obtaining success suitable for every employee due to motivation by the principles of the activity. source..