Theories of MotivationAccording to Greenberg (1999) motivation is defined "as a process of arousing, directing and maintaining behavior towards a goal". Where "directing" refers to selecting a particular behavior; and “maintenance” refers to the inclination to consistently behave in that way until the desired outcome is achieved. Motivation is therefore the force that transforms and elevates people so that they are productive and perform in their work. Maximizing an employee's motivation is necessary and vital to successfully achieve organizational goals and objectives. However this is a considerable challenge for managers in any organisation, due to the complexity of motivation and the fact that there is no ready solution or answer to what motivates people to work well (Mullins, 2002). It is my intention in this essay to explore some issues related to motivation and cite work-based experiences to illustrate and substantiate any arguments or points of view. Main BodyMullins (2002) classifies motivation into intrinsic and extrinsic types. Intrinsic motivation involves psychological rewards to increase job satisfaction, such as the opportunity to use one's skills, a sense of accomplishment, receiving positive appreciation and recognition, or being treated thoughtfully (Mullins, 2002: P490). Such methods ensure that employees are constantly motivated while engaged in enjoyable and rewarding activities. I was previously employed at an automotive parts supplier where in addition to using pay as a means of motivation; they too were committed to guaranteeing their employees maximum job satisfaction. This was achieved by giving autonomy in their job functions and assigning meanings...... middle of paper ......to its employees. In today's complex business environment; Traditional approaches such as monetary incentives are not the only major motivators. In addition to expecting financial incentives for their performance, employee expectations are much more. Appreciation, recognition and opportunities for personal growth; must be satisfied to exploit maximum productivity. Furthermore, in an era where change is critical to organizational survival, highly motivated employees represent flexibility and demonstrate a willingness to change; a vital component to the success of any organization. References Greenberg, J. (1999) Behavior Management in Organizations, Prentice Hall. Mullins, L (2002) Management and Organizational Behavior, Prentice Hall FTBenabou, R. & Tirole, J. (2003) "Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation", The Review of Economic Studies, vol.70, p...489-520.