She was embarrassed by it. She was convinced that the honor was bestowed on her because her boss was the CEO's favorite. The selection process oozed of internal politics. On one day a year, management honors its employees. On all the other days, we are treated like objects of utility.
Motivation is there, inside people.
Our people were motivated when we hired them and everyday, when they come to work, they arrive with the intention of doing a good job. Managers cannot motivate. They can, however, de-motivate . Harvard Business Review , September-October 1987, pp. The greatest managerial cynicism is that workers are withholding a certain amount of effort that must be bribed from them by means of various incentives, rewards, contests, or merit pay programs.