The Five Levels of Employee Motivation

Employee motivation can be quite a challenge. Thehave a big impact on motivation.
decision on how committed an employee will beLevel 4: Growth
towards the organization, division or team, dependsEmployees want to have the belief that achievement
entirely on the individual. Therefore, the first step tois taking place. I might feel safe, get all the money I
employee motivation is to engage with each individual.want and feel part of the team. But if there are no
Find out what makes him/her tick. The purpose of thisgrowth opportunities, I might think about leaving the
article is to know what to look for when you engagecompany.
with the individual.Level 5: Work/Life Harmony
Many leaders make the mistake of applying a singleThis term speaks for itself. Someone might have all
motivational strategy to all their employees. The factthe rewards that he/she wants, but he/she will burn
of the matter is that different things might motivateout sooner or later if they don't have the time to spend
different employees. So how do you find the rightit on the other things they want.
formula for each employee?What Should You Do With These Drivers Of
The Loyalty Institute at Aon Consulting did extensiveEmployee Motivation?
research on employee commitment. They came upWhile all five levels are important, the key is to pinpoint
with the five drivers of employee motivation, alsowhere the individuals and the workforce are not having
known as the performance pyramid.their needs met. Start by offering a safe, secure work
It works a lot like Marslow's Hierarchy of Needs whereenvironment and equitable compensation and benefits
the first level of motivational needs first need bepackages. This is the foundation. However, before you
satisfied, before a need arise in the next level. It wasn'tlaunch those new and trendy benefits, engage with
intended that way. It just happened to work out likeeach individual and take a good, hard look at the
that.basics. The young smart upstart employee might not
The performance pyramid can provide somebe as exited about that benefits program. His needs
wonderful guidance to know what to look for whenmight be to use that money to buy a new sport scar.
you engage with your employees. Let's have a look atThe opposite might be true for the 40 something baby
the five levels and see how it can help you to findboomer.
ways to motivate employees.Some other pointers to keep in mind:
Level 1: Safety and Security- Be aware of the five levels of employee motivation
Along with a physical sense of well-being, there mustwhen you engage with your employees.
be a psychological belief that the environment is free- Make your own assessment of what the needs of
of fear, intimidation or harassment.each individual are.
Level 2: Rewards- Engage with each individual. Explain the different
Yes, you knew it. Most people won't come to worklevels and ask them where they find themselves on
tomorrow if they win a big lottery today. This is thethe pyramid. What are his/her biggest needs?
perception that the organization attempts to satisfy the- Engage with bigger teams and eventually with the
employee's compensation and benefits needs.whole organization about these levels of employee
Level 3: Affiliationmotivation.
This is a sense of belonging. It includes being "in the- Do something about it. If someone wants growth,
know" and being part of the team. This is also wheregive it to him or her. If they want work/life harmony,
a difference in personal and organizational values canmake a plan. And Ditto for the rest of the drivers.