Psy 320 - Workplace Motivation Paper

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Management’s Philosophy of Motivation and its Practices

A well known theory called the Glasser's Control Theory states individuals display a strong need for self-control in their daily lives, and tireless attempts to maintain self-control in the workplace could possible lead to failure in the task of controlling people and processes at work. The control theory is not a goal of Lowes management because the organization is attempting to use is innovation and creativity to drive motivation and better productivity from employees. Managers must change from command and control to a workplace environment that promotes collaboration, innovation, and creativity that leads to better productivity amongst individuals and departments. In the past, the company function well is a more command and control environment that did not allow for much collaboration at the store level as most of the business decisions were made at the corporate division. The boom of the housing market seemed to lend to an environment that required stores to provide less in the aisle service with most attention focused on ensuring stores were clean and stocked with supplies. Customers were using their knowledgeable contractors to shop for specific products, therefore less service was required from sales associates and most attention was focused on completing task. The downfall for the housing market has abruptly changed this philosophy because more customers are self-completing home improvement projects, and this new practice is requiring the need for associates to provide better in the aisle service to all customers. Associates are being trained to improve customer service skills such as product knowledge, improved information technology systems, salesmanship skills, and cross training with different departments. If the company expects to create an environment of diversity and inclusion, the leadership team must continue to move from the command and control environment thus allowing associates to feel comfortable providing personal input to help with customer service activities and employee teamwork (Control Theory, 2007).

Conclusion

In today’s society, motivation in the workplace is very important and management team must understand the benefits it brings to the organization and employees. Company leaders must have a plan to implement a solid motivation strategy within the organization that leads to enhanced productivity, better morale and happy employees, and provides associates with intrinsic and extrinsic reward opportunities. Lowes is currently succeeding with improving the workplace environment that gives employees a sense of empowerment, inclusiveness, and self-motivation. Managers are working closer with associates and using their input to implement change within the organization, and this change is giving associates a new sense of personal pride and accomplishment that is leading to overall enhanced levels of productivity. Organizations must continue to create a positive and reward base workplace environment that leads to better employee productivity, innovation, and higher morale. Company’s that focus their attention on providing a workplace environment that promotes innovation and creative will lead to higher motivated associates and ultimately increase overall business profits (Motivation Strategies, 2007).

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References

Clark, D. (2007) Organizational Behavior. Retrieved from

http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadob.html

Control Theory (2007) ChangingMinds.com. Retrieved from

http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/control.htm

Motivation Strategies (2007) Cliff Notes. Retrieved from

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Motivation-

Strategies.topicArticleId-8944,articleId-8911.html