Other Things You Never Expected

The factors which motivate people at work are different to – and not simply the opposite of – the factors which cause dissatisfaction.

According to social scientist Frederick Herzberg, the things that motivate employees deal with the factors involved in doing the job, whereas the things that cause job dissatisfaction deal with the factors which define the job context.

In a nutshell, Herzberg believed the true motivators at work are:

• responsibility
• the work itself
• achievement
• recognition
• advancement

The things that cause dissatisfaction in the workplace are:

• policy
• relationship with supervisor
• work conditions
• salary
• status
• security
• relationship with subordinates
• personal life

Give your employees all the things in the first list and none of the things in the second, and they will be motivated but dissatisfied.

Give your employees all the things in the second list and none of the things in the first, and they will be satisfied but not motivated.

Give your employees all the things on both lists, and they will help you take over the world.