Positive reinforcement works better. Positive reinforcers include such things as recognition, respect, praise, better working conditions, money, paid vacations, fringe benefits, prizes, etc. The word motivation often brings to mind more money, or special privileges like the key to the executive washroom. These are extrinsic, meaning external. Someone else is dangling this particular item in front of you as a way of getting you to do something.
Intrinsic motivators are internal.
They originate entirely from within yourself. Intrinsic motivation tends to be deeper and more powerful than extrinsic motivation. The effects tend to last longer too with intrinsic motivation. Here is how 1,000 employees, in a survey, ranked their needs in the workplace in order of preference. Public praise Morale-building meetings.