Psychology of Leadership and Motivation

Skinner’s Reinforcement Theory

• It is based on the idea that humans react in response to how they are treated
• Consists of the following components:
  • Law of Effect (states that we behave based on expected consequences)
  • Stimulus (an event that influences a response)
  • Response (behavior that results from a stimulus)
  • Reinforcement (the consequence of a behavior)
  • Behavior Motivation (the application of reinforcement)

McClelland’s Achievement Model

• The strength of a person's motivation depends on their assessment of their chance of achieving a goal

Organizational Factors that Influence Leadership Success

Internal Factors

Leadership

• Refers to the individuals within an organization who make significant decisions
• Strong leadership is characterized by a vision for the future, a plan to achieve their goals, and a method to measure success
• Effective leaders create management structures that empower employees while meeting production and sales goals

Employees

• Motivated workers need to understand management’s expectations and be provided the tools, training, and support necessary for success

Internal Factors

• Safety: Includes provisions for safety standards, mechanical safeguards, accident investigation, safety rules and statistics
• Employee Relations: Covers collective bargaining, wage & salary administration, grievance systems, medical & dental services, labor-management relations, and morale studies
• Employee Research & Standards: Includes job analysis, job description, job evaluation, job grading, wage analysis, organization planning, and employee manuals
• Employee Services: Encompasses recreational plans, insurance plans, profit sharing plans, and miscellaneous services

Theories of Motivation

• Motivation is a general term that describes drives, desires, needs, and wishes, that influence an individual’s performance

• It involves progression from felt needs to desires, to goals, to unfulfilled desires, to action toward goals, and finally to satisfaction

• Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory

  • Composed of Extrinsic Factors (Hygiene Factors), and Intrinsic Factors (Motivation factors)
  • Extrinsic Factors
    • Pay or salary increases
    • Technical supervision/ competent superior
    • Human relations
    • Organizational policy and administration
    • Working conditions or physical surrounding
    • Job security
  • Intrinsic Factors
    • Achievement (completing important tasks successfully)
    • Recognition (being singled out or praised)
    • Responsibility for one’s own work
    • Advancement (changing status through promotion)

• Maslow’s Theory

  • Describes five basic needs organized into hierarchical levels
  • These needs act as motivators
  • The hierarchy of needs includes:
    • Physiological needs
    • Safety needs
    • Love needs
    • Esteem needs
    • Need for self-actualization

• McGregor’s Theory

  • Based on Maslow’s work
  • Describes two contrasting management styles: Theory X and Theory Y
    • Theory X
      • People hate work
      • Need to be driven and threatened to achieve organizational goals
      • Lack ambition
      • Seek security
    • Theory Y
      • People don’t need to be forced or threatened
      • Work is natural
      • People will commit themselves to organizational goals
      • People seek responsibility

• Aldefer’s ERG Theory

  • Existence needs: Physiological needs
  • Relatedness needs: Interpersonal relationships, acceptance, and belonging
  • Growth needs: Creativity, challenge, and personal growth in the job

• Vroom’s Expectancy Theory

  • Effort will bring rewards
  • Variables influence decision making:
    • Expectancy (effort-performance relationship)
    • Instrumentality (performance-reward relationship)
    • Valance (the value placed on the reward)
    • Choices (the selection of a specific action path)

• Adam’s Equity Theory

  • People compare their work situation to others in similar roles
  • Key concepts:
    • Comparison
    • Perception

• Benevolent and Authoritative

  • Managers know what is best for employees and only inform and direct

• Consultative

  • The opinions and advice of staff are useful, but decisions remain with the manager

• Participative

  • Staff are given input and responsibility for decision-making with general guidance and oversight from management

Principles of Leadership

• Employee-Oriented
  • Managers have stronger ties to employees than to production work
• Product-Oriented:
  • Focuses on high productivity at the expense of other factors

Explore key theories related to leadership and motivation, focusing on Skinner's Reinforcement Theory and McClelland's Achievement Model. Understand how internal organizational factors influence leadership success and the role of effective leadership within an organization.