Motivation at work

Time: 60 minutes + Level: B1+ Objective: To improve listening skills while watching a short video To discuss a variety of motivating factors and incentives To give opinions on motivation in the work place Materials: 1 copy per participant of pages 1-3 1 copy of the teachers resource sheet, cut up Access to this video: http://bit.ly/1dCaXAa Procedure:

1. Lead in: learners discuss questions in pairs or small groups. 2. Video. Before you watch: discuss the two introductory questions 3. Learners match the vocabulary in the table the words on the left will be used in the video, the words on the right are synonyms and definitions Answers: Digits = Numbers Challenges = A task which is difficult Incentivize = to motivate Rudimentary = basic Cognitive skills = Ability to process information Scheme = System for doing something Monetary reward = Financial motivator Outstanding = Fantastic, brilliant 4. Watch the video for the first time learners complete the boxes to the left of the vocabulary putting the words in order that they appear in the video. The first one has already been labeled (answers 2, 1, 3, 6, 7, 5, 4, 8). When they are finished, ask the learners if they can recall how each word was used. 5. Second listening answer the four comprehension questions: The test was carried out at Massachusetts Institute of Technology involving a group of students who were given challenges The challenges involved memorizing strings of digits, solving word puzzles, spatial puzzles and physical tasks like throwing a ball through a hoop

Gabrielle Jones 2013

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They were rewarded in three levels those who completed the tasks pretty well got a small reward, medium performance was rewarded with a medium financial reward, and those who performed really well got a large monetary reward. The reward is only good if simple, mechanical skills are required. Once rudimentary cognitive skills or more complicated skills are involved then larger monetary rewards lead to poorer performance and dont work.

6. After you watch: learners discuss a project theyre currently working on and explain the nonfinancial incentives which the company uses to motivate them. 7. Maslows theory learners read the short text and look at the diagram. Ask them what they already know about this theory. 8. Discuss the levels of needs and ask them to think of examples for each level. 9. Look at the five factors which are presented. Firstly learners rank them from most to least important, discussing their reasons for their ranking in groups. Following that they match the factors to the corresponding level on the Maslow pyramid. When finished they should look at ten further examples and label the pyramid accordingly. Answers: Self-fulfillment autonomy plus factor c and f Self-esteem recognition of accomplishment plus factors h and j Social team support plus factors d and g Security flexi time plus factors e and i Physiological breaks plus factors b and j 10. Learners discuss if they can add any other examples11. Over to you: In pairs or small groups, learners discuss the conversation questions about motivation in the work place. When they have finished they can share their views with the whole group before the trainer rounds off the lesson with feedback and error correction (where suitable).

Gabrielle Jones 2013

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Motivation at work
Lead in: Discuss the following questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What do you need in order to be happy at work? How can you tell when staff is unhappy? How can an understanding of motivation help managers? What do you think are the most important motivational needs for the majority of people? Is money the most important motivating factor?

Video: Dan Pink motivation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJWH84Nwucc Before you watch: 1. Do you think financial incentives motivate people in all kinds of tasks? 2. For which kinds of tasks may money not be motivational? Vocabulary Do you know the meaning of the words on the left? Can you match them to a definition on the right? Digits 1 Challenges Incentivize Rudimentary Cognitive skills Scheme Monetary reward Outstanding Ability to process information Fantastic, brilliant Numbers System for doing something Financial motivator A task which is difficult To motivate Basic

While you watch: A. Watch the video and put the words from the box in the order they are used the first one has been done for you. B. When you are finished listen again and answer these questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. How was the project set up? What kind of challenges did the participants receive? How were they rewarded? For which tasks were people motivated by financial reward? For which were they not motivated?

After you watch: Think of a task or a project you are working on at the moment. Explain the non-financial incentives your company uses to motivate you.

Gabrielle Jones 2013

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Motivation theory: Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of needs In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow published a theory based on his clinical studies of what motivates people in all aspects of their lives. His framework became a model for both personal empowerment and workplace management. His concept is that we first need to satisfy basic needs before we can focus on higher goals:

Discuss: 1. What do you think the different levels represent? Can you think of an example for each need? 2. In what order do you think most employees are motivated by these factors? Rank them from 1 (most motivating) to 5 (least motivating) a. b. c. d. e. Flexi-time Recognition of accomplishments Breaks Autonomy Team support

3. Can you label each level on Maslows pyramid with one of the factors? 4. Now look at the following examples. There are two examples of each need can you match them? a. b. c. d. e. Appraisal system Employment contracts Fast-track management programme Friendly supervision Lockers for personal belongings f. g. h. i. j. Promotion opportunities Respect Self-assessment Sickness schemes Subsidized canteen

5. Can you think of any other factors to add to each level?

Gabrielle Jones 2013

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Over to you: 1. To what extent does your organisation use all these factors to motivate staff? 2. Explain the systems in place in your organization in order to motivate the workforce. 3. Do you agree with Maslows theory that you have to work through the steps in order to be completely motivated? 4. How do you think culture might affect the order of the needs? 5. How far do you think the average person gets on this list? 6. What kind of people get to the top? What qualities or characteristics do they need to have?

Gabrielle Jones 2013

www.businessenglishexperience.com