Employee Motivation: Creating a Motivated Workforce, Essay Example

Introduction

Ethics and morals are often associated with types of religion, but schools often provide important lessons in ethical behavior. Nevertheless, there’s a fear that somehow teaching ethics in school will steer students towards a particular religious viewpoint. However, ethics must be taught and are being taught because schools are producing tomorrow’s citizens. It’s impossible not to teach ethics in a school. If schools have a code of conduct, they are teaching ethics. If teachers have classrooms rules, they are teaching ethics. By the time a child reaches middle school, his or her leadership qualities have began to emerge. Every person has a vision. People who changed their organizations were proactive and took risks. They recognized shifts in the interests or needs of those they were serving and anticipated the need to change.  Leaders of change have specific characteristics. Society demands that leaders work to influence and support colleagues to improve the world and society- thus serving as models for professional group learning and continuous individual improvement. Within this class, I feel I have been equipped with the tools needed to become a leader. Leaders can lead the way to a better future by stepping up, accepting responsibility for the learning of each and every student they encounter, acting as models for their colleagues, and to guiding and supporting them in the continuous improvement. Leadership is a role requiring courage and commitment.  It is imperative that these roles are filled in order to maintain a society that is purposeful and adequate. Throughout traditions and over the course of one’s life people develop their ethical values and beliefs from their ethnic origin, cultural upbringing, religious affiliation, or family tradition. For me my ethical belief has been formulated on the concept of religion, family and achievement.

Communication

This class has helped me to communicate more effectively. Communication takes place on a daily basis in the lives of all human beings. Verbal communication is probably the most used form of communication in the business world, but in our tech savvy word other forms of communications are quickly catching up. Verbal communication is composed of many components. Whatever technique one chooses still involves practice in order to become efficient in the process. Successful communication skills are imperative in order to be successful in today’s business world. For example, Morreale, Osborn, & Pearson said:

“Beyond the confines of school, oral communication competence can contribute to individuals’ social adjustment and participation in satisfying interpersonal relationships. Youngsters with poor communication skills are sometimes viewed as less attractive by their peers and enjoy fewer friendships” (2000).

Good communication skills usually go hand and hand with good comprehension skills. It is very unlikely that a person will have good comprehension skills and not have the ability to communicate well with others. When a person is communicating verbally, it is important for him/her to remember that the way one says the message is just as important as the words being said.  As a result, miscommunication is common place when both verbal and nonverbal communication is not done sufficiently. This can be a difficult task because often verbal and nonverbal communication can contradict each other. As a result, determining exactly what someone is saying or wants to say can be difficult to discern. Facial expression, tone, and body language, can affect interpersonal relationships greatly. All of these factors play a major role in how a person conveys his/her message to the intended. Being unable to properly communicate can hinder a person from forming interpersonal relationships or hinder him from forming meaningful and lasting relationships. The ability to communicate effectively only comes from adequate practice.

Three Qualities

There are three qualities, I believe, individuals must possess to make ethical decisions. The first is the ability to recognize ethical issues and to reason through the ethical consequences of each decision. The ability to see second and third order effects, one of the elements of strategic thinking, is very important. The second is the ability to look at alternative points of view, and decide what is right in a particular situation. Finally, the third is the ability to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty; thus making a decision on the best information available. Since I have been in this class, I find myself evaluating circumstances using that criterion. I can recall a situation I had with a fellow co-worker. I felt that I handled the entire situations well, except that I really lost my temperament with her because she has very poor work ethics and seems to feel that people are obligated to do things for her. She does the same types of things every time something is due. She misses a great deal of days, leaves earlier, or just comes late. She could possibly be having some type of family problems causing her actions.  I think that I should’ve considered this before retaliating against her. I know that I have grown in this area because prior to this class, I never would have thought of what could possibly make someone behave in such a way.

Religion

Many people live without any form of religious philosophy and have no belief in God or any other higher being. Yet, many of these people lead normal, law abiding lives. Studies have shown that these people are not murderers or fornicators and live their lives by guidelines other than religion. On the other hand, there are just as many people who profess to be devout Christians, but lead lives that are far from Godliness. Members of Klu Klux Klan are primary examples of this. Most of them proclaim devout Christianity, yet the commit crimes that are directly against the teachings of Christianity. Consequently, morality and religious beliefs are not synonymous. Yet, I know that my religious upbringing is what dictates the decisions and actions I take each day. I believe that there is only one true and living God, but he is manifested through the Trinity-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I believe that God the Father created the universe and all things. I believe that God the Son was conceived of the Holy Spirit to the Virgin Mary. Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross for the atonement of mankind sins. I believe the Holy Spirit dwells within the hearts of all believers and empowers us to do Godly service, worship, and witness to believers and non-believers. I believe that salvation is offered as a free gift to all who accept it through repentance. Salvation is given by God and cannot be achieved through human works alone. Finally, I believe that Christians should be consistent and faithful with scripture and their daily conduct. The bible provides us with moral and ethical principles for conducting our lives.

Class Environment

The goal of   an educator is not only to foster learning of content, but to also to help students to develop a deep love and respect for knowledge, others, their environment and the environments and cultures of their global neighbors. Our professor has created an atmosphere where the voice of each student is heard; students felt free to express themselves. For me, an opportunity for constant learning and growth was provided. I believe that our professor overall goal was to instill a love of learning in the students –this was evident in her passion for the subject. I feel there is a need for compassionate, resilient, and committed individuals who are excited about working with children and young adults. In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive an adequate education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs.  I believe our professor was able to do this because she inspired us to strive to be the best we could be.

Following Rules        

Virtue ethics places less emphasis on following rules, instead it focuses on helping people develop good character traits; thus hoping that the person will make better choice later in life. This theory dates back to Greek thinkers and was written down by Aristotle. However, Plato is considered one of the most renowned philosophers in history. The foundation of Plato’s theory is the theory of forms. Others refer to it as the theory of ideas. To Plato, knowledge, ethics, psychology, politics, and art are all united. Plato believed that reality consisted of two realms. First, there was the physical world that can be observed by the five senses, and then there was the second realm made up of ideas. This other realm can only be reached by the mind. This theory was intended to answer the questions that many had then, and still have today: What makes human beings happy? How can humans be content and happy in an ever changing world where death and sorrow is inevitable?  Plato broke the theory into several sub-categories he called arguments. To truly be happy and content, humans must be aware of the two realms in which they live and be in touch with the reality of their calling in life.

Deontology

Deontology focused on making the right choices based upon one’s moral system. This is a flawed theory because every person is guided by their own set of morals. What I may view as wrong, may be viewed as the right thing to do by another person. This system stresses why certain actions should be performed. Simply following the rules is not sufficient. So, a person could be breaking the rules, but not be immoral. The most significant aspect to remember about Deontology is that moral principles are completely separated from any consequences that breaking rules may carry. The word Deontolology comes from the Greek word that means duty.

Transition

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is characterized by many changes and challenges. During this time, the youth is acquiring and consolidating many competencies, attitudes, values, and social behaviors need to adequately transition from adolescence to adulthood. They are now able to reflect on themselves and life experiences; they can effectively use constructive criticism.  If these skills are developed properly, youths begin to plan and make goals for themselves (Nelson, 2012).  Late adolescence is extremely important in setting the stage for continued development in early adulthood life. Nonetheless, development and transitions are continued through the lifespan of the individual. The choices and engagements that the individual makes during this time will directly influence the rest of their lives. By the time the youth is 17 or 18 years old, he/she has to make decisions about his/her life-completing high school, furthering education or vocational training, moving away from home, marriage, and even parenthood. This can be a stressful time for even the most mature of adolescents. Erik Erikson, famous psychologists, outlined this developmental period as follows:  In order to effectively deal with all of the transitions and changes they are going through, each individual must have sound foundation to successfully arrive at adulthood.

Motivation

There are two types of motivational methods that seem to be very effective. Extrinsic rewards are the most effective. Extrinsic rewards are motivational techniques that use money, promotions, or benefits to motivate employees to produce quality work or products. While intrinsic rewards come from the job itself; employees are motivated by achievement, appreciation, challenge, and the opportunity for advancement within the job field. These are the two most effective methods because all human being have the same basic needs. According to Maslow’s theory of motivation, there are five needs that all human being must have met in order to be productive. Those needs are physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. According to McNerney, when these basic needs are meet people are happy and productive. (McNerney, 1996).

Conclusion

It is important to create a positive environment by making each student feel valued. Open communication and positive relationships between students and people in leadership roles is an important aspect of a great environment. Extrinsic rewards are the most effective in producing quality products and happy people. The proper motivation plan correctly implemented will motivate students to become productive, life-long learners.

References

McNerney, D.J. (1996). Employee motivation: creating a motivated workforce. HR Focus, 73(8), 14

Morreale , Hugenberg & Worley (2006) The Basic Communication Course at U.S. Colleges and Universities in the 21st Century: Study VII, Communication Education, 55:4, 415-437,

Morreale, Osborn, & Pearson (2000). What College Students Should Know and Be Able to Do. Journal of the Association of Communication Administration (29), 1-25.

Nelson, B. (2012). Dump the cash, load on the praise. Personnel Journal, 75(7), 65