Skillsoft Blended Learning Resource

Blended Learning Resources

Facilitated Activity

Discovering Employees' Motivations – Assessment Activity

Every individual has different motivators. To create a workplace that supports unique motivators for many individuals, you must learn how to stimulate motivation on an individual basis. One of the key steps in creating a motivating atmosphere is to discover what motivates your employees.

By using some of the techniques, this activity will help you to discover and understand what motivates your employees.

Techniques

Have the employee list and rate his motivators

A great way to uncover your employees' personal motivators is by using an assessment exercise. Have your employee complete an assessment where he lists and ranks his motivators, and you do the same, based on your understanding of what his motivators might be.

Discuss the employee's list

There's a good chance that after comparing your lists, you'll find he's motivated by completely different things than you thought. But here's the crucial part of this task: take the time to discuss the results with your employee. This prompts both of you to think further about your motivators and refine your list as necessary. You can also better understand what motivates the employee and clarify anything you're not clear about.

Assessment Activity

Provide your employees with the assessment exercise provided. Ask them to list their motivators and to rate them according to how strongly they are motivated by them. Ratings can be from 1 (somewhat motivated) to 5 (highly motivated). Some examples are provided.

Employee's assessment

Motivators 1 2 3 4 5 Financial (e.g. bonus, salary increase) Promotion Recognition from peers More challenging work

Employer's assessment

What do you think your employee's motivators are? Make a list for comparison with that of the employee.

Motivators 1 2 3 4 5

Comparison

Meet with your employee to discuss and compare and contrast the lists. Use the table provided to help refine your lists as necessary. You can also make notes to better understand what motivates the employee and clarify anything you're not clear about.

Motivators in common Reasons for this being a motivator

Motivators on employee's Reasons for this being a motivator list but not on yours

Motivators on your list but Reasons for this being a motivator not on employee's

Refined list

Motivators 1 2 3 4 5