Motivation and Performance: A Guide to Motivating a Diverse Workforce

by Ian MacRae, Adrian Furnham, Steve Wojtas (Narrator)

Many organizations approach the issue of employee engagement and motivation by tapping into age, gender and other stereotypes. Motivation and Performance challenges these notions, bringing together evidence that group differences are often exaggerated and that getting to the heart of what really motivates individuals is what's most important. This book is a practical guide to ensuring that organizations consider all motivators - job security as well as the need for personal growth - to improve employee satisfaction, boost organizational productivity and reduce staff turnover.

Underpinned by original research, Motivation and Performance features case studies from finance, retail, the public and other sectors to show how the principles of motivating employees apply at all levels of the organization, not just at the leadership level, and how values and motivation can be changed and developed. Complete with a framework for conducting effective visits to front-line locations, it will help HR professionals ask the right questions, choose whether to implement external motivation-building programmes and make a real impact on an employee's desire to progress in the company.

Audible Audio

First published February 3, 2017

Reviews

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivation and boosting productivity are key themes that seem to engage companies, although many appear to be failing to really hit the mark due to poor targeting and focussing on group dynamics and stereotypes. The authors of this book have different ideas for success.

Focussing on the important things for everybody, instead of assuming that groups that share common attributes such as age, sex or culture leads to success, is the secret sauce here. The authors provide a practical guide, built around research and real-world implementation, to help improve employee satisfaction, productivity, retention and other key metrics that should benefit both employee and employer alike. It is a convincing argument.

This approach can be used by companies of all shapes and sizes, irrespective of whether they have tried similar programmes in the past or not. Guidance is given to the right approach to take, the right questions to ask, how to analyse the feedback and the best way of implementing and communicating change.

At the very least it should be a considered piece of additional data for your company. It is very reasonably priced for what it promises.

[Abby Epplett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fairly average book about motivating a diverse workforce touches on a range of topics, from dispelling myths about generational differences to name-dropping Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. I found the section on the High-Potential Motivation Indicator (HPMI) questionnaire to be the most interesting part of the book.

[Katelyn (Lost as Alice, Mad as the Hatter) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easily understandable, and yet scientifically backed, guide for how leaders can motivate and inspire their people at multiple echelons.

While money is all well and good, the majority of workplaces do not seem to understand the personal and professional motivation that keep people coming in, performing at high standards, and loyal to the organization. In western work culture, the majority of the workforce seems to earn a paycheck and would leave their companies for a better opportunities.

With this guide, leaders are able to see the science behind individual, team, and organizational motivation to encourage a workforce where everyone can be quite a bit different. This is a great book for those who understand the limits of emotional intelligence and want to improve their leadership talents and get the most out of their subordinates.