What is Management?

To define management, we need to understand the basics. Management aims to

attain a goal by coordinating and administering several
responsibilities. These administrative tasks involve deciding what course of action the
company will take and managing the actions of its employees to ensure that its goals
are met by making optimal use of the resources at its disposal. Management may
also refer to the hierarchy of staff employees inside a company, particularly in
terms of seniority.

You will need to hone various talents to become an efficient manager, including those
in planning, communication, organization, and leadership. You will also need to
comprehensively understand the organization's goals and the workers, sales, and
other activities necessary to achieve those goals.

Objectives of Management
1. Optimize resources 

Management definition puts forth an effort to make efficient use of available resources in

order to generate the greatest feasible amount of output. This aim makes it possible to
improve profits by lowering the proportion of resource expenses to earnings in the business.
Accordingly, management teams implement various logistic methods and procedures to detect
and cut back on processes that result in waste and call for more resources.

2. Improvement of Efficiencies 

Boosting the effectiveness of operations, production, and services leads to increased output,
revenue, and profits. Management systems observe the activities, length of time, and flow of
the workplace to ascertain the procedures that result in the most productive outputs.  It's not
uncommon for managers to collaborate on developing and executing new procedures and
standards with both other employees and the heads of departments.

3. To maximize profits

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Management teams aim to balance increasing revenues as much as possible and creating a
positive working environment for workers. To ensure that profits are maximized, it is
necessary to collaborate with various departments and leaders, such as accountants,
supervisors, and executives, to identify areas that need modifications and adjustments.
Finding costs and waste that are not essential and developing innovative processes that make
operations more effective are two of the most important tasks for managers who want to
accomplish their maximum profit goals.

4. Promote personal development 

An efficient management team makes the employees' personal development and professional

advancement a top priority. Employees can gain new skills and improve their careers when
options like seminars, mentoring programs, training resources, and internal promotions are
available. The growth and development of employees on a personal level can not only assist
management in accomplishing numerous goals at once. Still, they can also contribute to
the generated work's expansion, improvement, and effectiveness. 

5. Maintain quality

Management teams determine the rules, protocols, and criteria that govern the manufacturing
and delivery of goods and services. One of management's most important responsibilities is
ensuring that the organization consistently meets all required quality standards. The team
collaborates with other departments, supervisors, and workers to establish, execute, and
sustain quality.  

6. To keep up the spirit in the workplace

An organization's culture, attitudes, and morale can influence its total output and
revenues. The intrinsic drive for employees to accomplish their work and give more effort is
increased when the workforce's morale is high. Management teams actively seek to maintain
morale by putting into place efficient authority structures, developing incentive programs, and
reacting to the comments and suggestions of staff members. In addition, maintaining
excellent interactions with staff members and demonstrating
appreciation for their contributions boosts morale and encourages them to pursue
further professional development.
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7. Maintaining discipline and moral 

In order to achieve the organization's goals and objectives, personnel need to be able to work

together in a disciplined manner. Group effort is crucial to the organization's success, and
effective teamwork is impossible without rules and regulations. Having discipline means
having an internal structure and order that fosters genuine collaboration and support for the
mission and the team or organization members. The morale of the organization as a whole
will suffer if employees are not disciplined in their actions and behaviors. In a
nutshell, the goal of organizational discipline is to establish and reinforce acceptable levels of
conduct among workers. 

8. Cut down on the Risk factor

Forecasting and predicting results and changes are common responsibilities for many
management professions. One of the most important goals for managers is to minimize
exposure to potential hazards and losses by careful planning and accurate forecasting. It is
possible to boost earnings and eradicate losses by cutting down on risk elements,  including
safety concerns, squandered resources, and unnecessary expenditures.  

9. Generate business strategies

Management teams will frequently engage in higher-level critical thinking and abstract
strategy when trying to enhance operations and revenues. Together with CEOs, other leaders,
and other stakeholders, the team develops, pitches, and implements overarching company
plans or frameworks. For example, it might be helpful to establish and restrict objectives for
all personnel to work toward a shared goal if a corporate plan is created that is both successful
and consistent. 

10. Workflow coordination

Productivity and efficiency are susceptible to changes brought on by

an organization's workflow and its internal structure. To establish processes, internal
structures, and facility designs that are logical and efficient, management teams may include

3
or collaborate with logistics specialists, engineering professionals, and production
professionals. Managers may also use tools such as organization charts, flow diagrams, and
process audits to evaluate and communicate workflow operations. 

11. Identify talent

The management of a business strives to locate, recruit, and retain the most qualified
applicants and workers possible. Therefore, it is possible for managers to collaborate with
recruiters to determine recruiting criteria, assess applicants, and develop recruitment offers.
As a result, the entire organization benefits from knowledge, competence, and productivity
when it recruits talented and competent workers. 

12. Ensure availability

Managing teams' responsibilities include handling, upkeep, and accurate forecasting of

the availability of resources, commodities, and services. To accomplish this goal, managers
may project and predict the requirements of the business or the general public and keep an eye
out for problems like shortages. In addition, the management team can prepare for and make
adjustments to minimize delays in production and distribution when they can anticipate and
handle difficulties as they arise. 

13. Promotion of research and development 

It is also one of the very critical factors. By investing in R&D, a company

may develop innovative Products and relevant services to offer to stay relevant in a
competitive market. There are many different kinds of companies; they all need multifaceted
R&D to survive in their respective fields. Precisely, businesses in the marketing , engineering,
and manufacturing sectors rely substantially on R&D. In short, to maintain a competitive edge
in the face of fierce industry competition, businesses must invest heavily in R&D. In fact,
Companies that invest in R&D are more likely to increase profits, expand their consumer
base, and strengthen their brand. If a firm doesn't invest in R&D, it may be more likely to
provide subpar products, see a drop in sales, and ignore what its customers want. 

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Functions of Management

Now that we have understood what management is, we have to understand what the function
of management is. Every company has a structure, and having one that is effective in pushing
the business ahead is critical to that firm's organizational structure. There are front-line,
middle-level, and top-level managers in any organization, from the lowest to the highest
levels of management. For example, a chief executive officer (CEO) and a board of directors
come after the senior management team. Imagine this construction as a pyramid; you will see
its components much more plainly. As you climb higher up the pyramid, you will have fewer
and fewer supervisors to oversee your operations.  

At its most elemental level, management is a discipline that consists of a set of five broad
functions:  

 Planning 

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  Organizing 
 Staffing 
 Leading 
 Controlling
These functions are listed in order of increasing complexity. A corpus of practices and ideas
on how to be a successful manager includes the following five functions as part of its
framework.

Management has been defined as a social activity that entails responsibility for the efficient
and effective planning and management of the functioning of an organization to achieve
predetermined goals. It is a dynamic process consisting of numerous elements and actions in
various orders. These tasks should not be confused with operational duties such as marketing,
finance, and buying, amongst others. Rather, every manager, regardless of position or
standing, is responsible for carrying out these responsibilities.

When managers have a solid grasp of the functions, they can better direct their efforts toward
the activities that produce outcomes.  

The following is a synopsis of the six core responsibilities of effective management (ICPM
Management Content): 

1. Planning

In a managerial position, you should think of planning as selecting acceptable objectives

and actions to pursue, followed by determining strategies to employ, actions to take, and
resources required to attain the goals. 

2. Organizing

Developing worker connections paves the way for workers to collaborate to achieve the
corporate goals they share. 

3. Leading

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Successfully completing this duty requires articulating a vision, energizing personnel, and
inspiring and motivating others using vision, influence, persuasion, and excellent
communication skills. 

4. Staffing

Identifying potential candidates for employment and making final hiring decisions (within
teams and departments).

5. Directing

The most important factor in this regard is directing because it is considered the course
through which the managers train, advise, and monitor employees' overall performance to
reach set goals and objectives. In fact, directing is the core of the  management process .
Planning, organizing, and staffing have little value if leadership functions are not performed
in a proper way. In the realm of management, the direction is defined as any  effort meant to
motivate subordinates to do their duties successfully and efficiently. Hence, its value is
optimum. 

6. Controlling

Conduct an assessment to determine the extent to which you succeed in attaining your
objectives, enhancing performance, and acting. Install procedures that will assist you in
establishing standards so that you may evaluate, assess, and reach conclusions about your
situation.  

Characteristics of Management

Any business is growing rapidly over the globe under today's current management model.
Any company that doesn't effectively handle its own affairs will quickly become irrelevant
in today's dynamic marketplace. 

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As Peter Drucker defined, management is acting to influence or bring about change in another
entity. When a business or other organization follows this procedure, its assets (both human
and material) are maximized for maximum efficiency in the pursuit of set goals. 

In addition to caring for the business's owners and other stakeholders (consumers, suppliers,

employees, etc.), this fundamental management idea includes many sources of actions that
signal the manager's tasks, preparing high-volume products from very modest input, and so
on. 

There is a great need for management at all levels of any firm; why limit its importance to the
top? Schools, universities, corporations, and government agencies employ management to
varying degrees. It's a must for any business, for-profit or non-profit, and any industry
producing physical goods. 

1. Management is both Science & Art   

Management may be thought of as a hybrid of art and science. It is an art in that it requires a
person to be able to manage things. In a different sense, management is a science since it
develops specific rules or laws relevant to a setting where a collection of
activities is coordinated. This aspect of management makes it a scientific endeavor. 

2. Management of Resource 

Management may be defined as the process of activities related to the efficient use of existing
resources for production. Within the organization, "resources" can refer to various things,
including men, money, materials, and machines. 

3. Management is a Continuous Process  

The activities of planning, organizing, directing, and regulating the resources are the primary
components of the management process. An organization must make optimal use of its
available resources, including its human and financial assets, to advance its mission and

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realize its goals. In the absence of any of the other fundamental tasks of management, the
management function of just one person cannot deliver any outcomes on its own. That being
said, management is an ongoing effort. 

4. Management is a Goal-oriented Process 

The goals of an organization are articulated straightforwardly. Everything a manager does

contributes to accomplishing goals that were decided upon long in advance. 

5. Management is Organized Work 

The meaning of management may be thought of as a collection of organized actions. A group

can be created in various settings, including a public limited business and a regular club.
Every organization strives to accomplish its own unique goals. These goals can only be
accomplished by working together as a group of people. In order to accomplish what must be
done, the actions of these individuals must be planned and coordinated in an organized
fashion. Without participating in any organized activities, it will be impossible to fulfill the
goals. 

6. Management of Operations   

Land, labor, financial resources, and business owners are all components of the production
factor. The term "land" refers to any area utilized for agricultural purposes. The
term "labor" refers to the paid workers of an organization working at various levels inside the
company. The term "capital" can refer to either working capital, which can be cash,
raw resources, and completed commodities, or fixed capital, which takes the shape of plant
and manufacturing facilities. Working capital is the more common term. Without this, the
organization would not be able to accomplish its aims. 

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It is only when the entrepreneur successfully coordinates the aims of the organization
that those goals may be accomplished. For example, in the context of one-person operations,
such work can be performed by a single individual. However, when it  comes to large-scale
company divisions, the management team is in charge of the coordination work. Therefore,
management is considered one of the variables contributing to productivity.  

7. Management is an Activity That Serves a Purpose 

A company or organization's management is focused on achieving its goals successfully.

The responsibilities of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, managing, and decision-
making bring about accomplishing these goals. Every employee has been provided with an in-
depth breakdown of the organization's goals and objectives. 

8. There Is a Separate Entity Called Management 

Management is separate from the operational functions of the organization. The essence of the

functions is "to do," but the nature of the management is "how to get things
done." To complete a job, a manager needs a certain level of both competence and
knowledge. 

9. Management's Goal is to Maximize Profit 

To achieve the intended outcomes, the available resources are utilized effectively. Therefore,

the results should be either the maximization of profits or an increase in profits due to the
managerial economic function. 

10. Decision-Making 

Every day, the management team is responsible for making a variety of important
choices. The process of making a decision doesn't begin until several paths of action are

10
available to choose from. If there is just one possible action to take, then there is no need
to decide on what to do. The performance of an organization may be directly attributed to
the caliber of decisions made by its management. The degree to which a manager makes the
correct decision is directly proportional to the organization's level of success or failure. 

It's a Profession to Manage Things Management is considered to be a career for the simple

reason that it contains the characteristics of a profession. This profession is responsible for
disseminating and transmitting a vast store of information; management is no exception. In
practice, the fundamental management concepts that have been defined are utilized.  

11. Application Across the Board

The concepts and procedures of management are not limited to the operations of a single
sector of the economy; rather, they are relevant to each and every sector of the economy.
Moreover, the nature of an organization directly affects how management is carried out in that
organization as opposed to another. 

12. The Definition of Management is "getting things done." 

A manager does not actually conduct the task but is responsible for delegating it to others so it
may be completed. As defined by Knootz and O'Donnel, management is "the art of getting
things done through and with people in officially organized organizations,"  as the authors put
it. 

13. Management is a Group Activity 

It is possible to describe a class as a collection of individuals that share similar qualities and
work toward achieving the same goals. For example, a society may classify individuals such
as engineers and medical practitioners into the same social category. Every single physician
strives to accomplish the same things in their professional career.  Like engineers and
physicians, management personnel have comparable goals when accomplishing organizational
objectives.

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14. Management as a Career

These days, management is increasingly seen as a professional path that can be tailored to
various areas of specialization. For example, among the many subfields under the umbrella
term "management," some of the more common specializations are financial management ,
cash management, portfolio management, marketing  management, personnel management,
industrial management, and business management. As a result, the most important positions in
the senior management team are filled with qualified experts.

15. Management is the Ability to Direct and Control 

A manager can guide and instruct his subordinates in executing their task and exercise control
over them when required. Without direction and control, he will fail to accomplish
the company's goals if he does not effectively use the resources at his disposal. In most cases,
directing and controlling activities entail dealing with things that need human effort.  

16. Management is a Dynamic Function

The management does not remain consistent. In the rapidly evolving world of business, new
strategies are continuously being conceived and implemented by management. The
management style adapts to reflect the shifting social landscape. The dynamic nature of the
commercial sector has contributed to the transformation of society.

17. Management is Needed at All Levels

At every level of an organization, there is a need for management functions to be

performed. The senior executives carry out the functions of planning, organizing,
directing, controlling, and making decisions. The lower-level supervisor is responsible for
carrying out the same tasks as well.

Importance of Management

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It should be obvious why management is so important, not just in the context of businesses
and other organizations but also in our personal life. The idea of management may be seen in
every facet of modern life. To accomplish something, management is the act of organizing
and administering the necessary tasks.

Management is synonymous with administration in some contexts. It is also possible to say

that it involves planning, organizing, taking the lead, and making the appropriate choices.
Management is necessary for businesses and other types of organizations. Additionally, it is
necessary for each of our particular lives. 

In many businesses, there are several tiers of management, which help split responsibilities
among the various divisions and areas of expertise. When work is segmented into multiple
management levels, a firm can expand its workforce because there are more managers
available to oversee and control the various operations inside the business. In addition, this
helps develop streamlined approval procedures and assures that different levels of
management may review each other's work before releasing a product to the general public. 

Levels of Management

13
To understand more in-depth what is management, we have to understand the different levels
of management. There are three primary levels of management, each of which has a variety of
managerial jobs. These levels include a closer look at the specifics of each level of
management, along with their responsibilities and typical job titles, as follows: 

1. Top-level management

Administrative managers, often known as top-level managers, are in charge of the overall
direction of a corporation. These managers validate that the organization is succeeding in
achieving its long-term objectives and expanding at a consistent rate. Their key objectives are
often to start a prosperous business that achieves the highest possible profit and has an
outstanding reputation. 

Although top-level managers have the most responsibility, power, and influence in a firm,
they frequently consult with other employees and listen to their concerns. The key
responsibilities of upper-level managers include the formulation of business strategies, the
establishment of objectives, and the maintenance of relationships with other companies.  

2. Mid-level management

Mid-level managers, also known as executory managers, are responsible for carrying out the
strategies devised by upper-level management and providing direction to first-line managers
and other staff. They are the connection between the administrative level and everyone else,
and these managers frequently take knowledge from top-level managers to discuss or teach it
to employees. They also serve as the bridge between the administrative level and everyone
else.

It is the responsibility of midlevel managers to run the many branches of a firm and ensure
that the employees working in each branch know the overarching objectives the organization
is working toward. Executing top-level plans, providing advice to first-line managers, and
completing group performance reviews are typical responsibilities of this position.  

14
3. First-line management

First-line managers, also known as supervisory managers, assist the company's smallest
divisions, such as particular groups of employees or sections within a branch. They report to
mid-level managers. These managers are responsible for interpreting instructions given to
them by mid-level managers to assist them in effectively directing their teams and
contributing to the organization's expansion.

First-line managers are also responsible for listening to employee complaints and discussing
them with mid-level management. Top-level management may then be informed of the issues
that have been raised. In addition, first-line managers are responsible for various
responsibilities, including delegating work to their staff, ensuring that production standards
are met, and monitoring day-to-day operations. 

Conclusion

There are a few tried-and-true methods to develop your management career; however, the
requirements for work at different management levels may vary from industry to industry.
Before beginning employment as a first-line manager, you should have foundational
experience in your chosen sector. You may be promoted to mid-level management and then
eventually to top-level management as you acquire experience in leadership roles and learn
more about the organization. 

To demonstrate that you can contribute to the smooth operation of a business at a higher level
of management, you might require extra education or specialty before you can advance in
your career. KnowledgeHut online certification  might come in handy in this respect.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is management important?

Management is important for a variety of reasons. Firstly, management ensures that
the company runs smoothly and efficiently. They plan and organize the work, set
targets and deadlines, and delegate tasks to employees. Secondly, management is
responsible for ensuring that employees are productive and motivated. They set clear

15
expectations, provide feedback and recognition, and offer development opportunities.
Finally, management is responsible for the financial health of the company. They
track income and expenditure, make investment decisions, and manage resources
effectively. Without management, a company would be chaotic and unstructured and
quickly bankrupt. Therefore, management is essential for the success of any
organization.  
2. What is effective management?
Management effectiveness is a term used to describe the ability of managers to make
decisions that lead to desired outcomes. An effective manager is one who can plan,
organize, and execute tasks in a way that achieves the goals of the organization. In
order to be effective, management must be able to set clear objectives, develop
achievable plans, and Motivate employees to achieve results. Additionally,
management must be able to adapt to changing conditions and make decisions that
minimize risk. Ultimately, management effectiveness is about achieving results
through the use of available resources. An effective manager is one who understands
how to get the most out of their employees and is able to create an environment that
supports their success.  
3. What does good management look like?
Good management means setting clear goals and objectives and then developing a
plan to achieve them. It also means creating a positive work environment where
employees feel valued and motivated. In addition, good management
requires effective communication  and team-building skills. By effectively leading and
motivating employees, managers can help ensure that a company reaches its full
potential. In short, good management is essential for any successful business.  
4. Why do you study management?
You learn how to lead and inspire teams, make effective decisions, and create and
implement strategies. You also learn how to think critically and analytically, essential
skills in any business setting. Moreover, management courses can be tailored to your
specific interests, whether it be human resources, marketing, or project management.
By studying management, you equip yourself with the knowledge and skills that are
necessary to succeed in today's ever-changing business landscape. 

16
Motivation: The Driving Force Behind Our Actions
By 

Kendra Cherry, MSEd 

17
 Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and
author of the "Everything Psychology Book."
Learn about oureditorial process

Updated on May 03, 2023

 Medically reviewed by 

Amy Morin, LCSW

Print 

Table of Contents
 Types
 Importance
 Components
 Improvement
 Inhibitors
 Theories
The term motivation describes why a person does something. It is the
driving force behind human actions. Motivation is the process that initiates,
guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.

18
For instance, motivation is what helps you lose extra weight, or pushes you
to get that promotion at work. In short, motivation causes you to act in a
way that gets you closer to your goals. Motivation includes
the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate human
behavior.

Motivation also involves factors that direct and maintain goal-directed

actions. Although, such motives are rarely directly observable. As a result,
we must often infer the reasons why people do the things that they do based
on observable behaviors.1

Learn the types of motivation that exist and how we use them in our
everyday lives. And if it feels like you've lost your motivation, do not worry.
There are many ways to develop or improve your self-motivation levels.

Press Play for Advice on Motivation

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind
Podcast shares an exercise you can use to help you perform your best. Click
below to listen now.
Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

What Are the Types of Motivation?

The two main types of motivation are frequently described as being either
extrinsic or intrinsic.

 Extrinsic motivation arises from outside of the individual and often

involves external rewards such as trophies, money, social recognition, or
praise.
 Intrinsic motivation is internal and arises from within the individual, such
as doing a complicated crossword puzzle purely for the gratification of solving
a problem.2

A Third Type of Motivation?

Some research suggests that there is a third type of motivation: family

motivation.3 An example of this type is going to work when you are not
motivated to do so internally (no intrinsic motivation), but because it is a
means to support your family financially.

 ‘Doing What You Love’: The Battle of Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation

Why Motivation Is Important

19
Motivation serves as a guiding force for all human behavior. So,
understanding how motivation works and the factors that may impact it can
be important for several reasons.

Understanding motivation can:

 Increase your efficiency as you work toward your goals

 Drive you to take action
 Encourage you to engage in health-oriented behaviors
 Help you avoid unhealthy or maladaptive behaviors, such as risk-
taking and addiction
 Help you feel more in control of your life
 Improve your overall well-being and happiness

What Are the 3 Components of Motivation?

If you've ever had a goal (like wanting to lose 20 pounds or run a
marathon), you probably already know that simply having the desire to
accomplish these things is not enough. You must also be able to persist
through obstacles and have the endurance to keep going in spite of
difficulties faced.

These different elements or components are needed to get and stay

motivated. Researchers have identified three major components of
motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity.4

 Activation is the decision to initiate a behavior. An example of activation

would be enrolling in psychology courses in order to earn your degree.
 Persistence is the continued effort toward a goal even though obstacles
may exist. An example of persistence would be showing up for your
psychology class even though you are tired from staying up late the night
before.
 Intensity is the concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal. 5 For
example, one student might coast by without much effort (minimal intensity)
while another student studies regularly, participates in classroom
discussions, and takes advantage of research opportunities outside of class
(greater intensity).

The degree of each of these components of motivation can impact whether

you achieve your goal. Strong activation, for example, means that you are
more likely to start pursuing a goal. Persistence and intensity will determine
if you keep working toward that goal and how much effort you devote to
reaching it.

Tips for Improving Your Motivation

20
All people experience fluctuations in their motivation and willpower.
Sometimes you feel fired up and highly driven to reach your goals. Other
times, you might feel listless or unsure of what you want or how to achieve
it.

If you're feeling low on motivation, there are steps you can take to help
increase your drive. Some things you can do to develop or improve your
motivation include:

 Adjust your goals to focus on things that really matter to you. Focusing on
things that are highly important to you will help push you through your
challenges more than goals based on things that are low in importance.
 If you're tackling something that feels too big or too overwhelming, break it
up into smaller, more manageable steps. Then, set your sights on achieving
only the first step. Instead of trying to lose 50 pounds, for example, break
this goal down into five-pound increments.
 Improve your confidence. Research suggests that there is a connection
between confidence and motivation.6 So, gaining more confidence in yourself
and your skills can impact your ability to achieve your goals.
 Remind yourself about what you've achieved in the past and where your
strengths lie. This helps keep self-doubts from limiting your motivation.
 If there are things you feel insecure about, try working on making
improvements in those areas so you feel more skilled and capable.

 What to Do When You Have No Motivation

Causes of Low Motivation

There are a few things you should watch for that might hurt or inhibit your
motivation levels. These include:

 All-or-nothing thinking: If you think that you must be absolutely perfect

when trying to reach your goal or there is no point in trying, one small slip-
up or relapse can zap your motivation to keep pushing forward.
 Believing in quick fixes: It's easy to feel unmotivated if you can't reach
your goal immediately but reaching goals often takes time.
 Thinking that one size fits all: Just because an approach or method
worked for someone else does not mean that it will work for you. If you don't
feel motivated to pursue your goals, look for other things that will work
better for you.

Motivation and Mental Health

Sometimes a persistent lack of motivation is tied to a mental health
condition such as depression. Talk to your doctor if you are feeling
symptoms of apathy and low mood that last longer than two weeks.

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Theories of Motivation
Throughout history, psychologists have proposed different theories to
explain what motivates human behavior. The following are some of the
major theories of motivation.

Instincts
The instinct theory of motivation suggests that behaviors are motivated by
instincts, which are fixed and inborn patterns of behavior. 7 Psychologists
such as William James, Sigmund Freud, and William McDougal have
proposed several basic human drives that motivate behavior. They include
biological instincts that are important for an organism's survival—such as
fear, cleanliness, and love.
Drives and Needs
Many behaviors such as eating, drinking, and sleeping are motivated by
biology. We have a biological need for food, water, and sleep. Therefore, we
are motivated to eat, drink, and sleep. The drive reduction theory of
motivation suggests that people have these basic biological drives, and our
behaviors are motivated by the need to fulfill these drives.8
Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is another motivation theory based on
a desire to fulfill basic physiological needs. Once those needs are met, it
expands to our other needs, such as those related to safety and security,
social needs, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

Arousal Levels
The arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are motivated to
engage in behaviors that help them maintain their optimal level of
arousal.4 A person with low arousal needs might pursue relaxing activities
such as reading a book, while those with high arousal needs might be
motivated to engage in exciting, thrill-seeking behaviors such as motorcycle
racing.
The Bottom Line
Psychologists have proposed many different theories of motivation. The
reality is that there are numerous different forces that guide and direct our
motivations.
Understanding motivation is important in many areas of life beyond
psychology, from parenting to the workplace. You may want to set the best
goals and establish the right reward systems to motivate others as well as
to increase your own motivation.

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Knowledge of motivating factors (and how to manipulate them) is used in
marketing and other aspects of industrial psychology. It's an area where
there are many myths, and everyone can benefit from knowing what works
with motivation and what doesn't.

What Is Change Management?

Last Updated April 19, 2023

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Business organizations today are facing change on a regular basis. As
technologies continue to transform entire industries, organizations must
modernize and readjust their business outlook, work functions and even their
overall goals in response to external market drivers and disruptors.  

As organizations realign their labor force to meet new goals, priorities are
addressed and reassigned, with some workers taking on new responsibilities.
With their employees facing such a variety of change, creating a standardized
organization approach to change has become increasingly important for
managers wishing to ensure all types of transitions remain as smooth as
possible. This is where change management comes into play.

Change Management Defined

What is change management, and why does change need to be managed?
Change management is a process of overseeing and facilitating change at any
level where it occurs. It is up to management teams to decide exactly how this
change will be addressed, develop the process and how to best execute and
apply.

The BNET Business Dictionary defines change management as “the

coordination of a structured period of transition from situation A to situation B
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in order to achieve lasting change within an organization.” Similarly, the
Change Management Learning Center defines change management as “the
process, tools, and techniques to manage the people-side of business change
to achieve the required business outcome, and to realize that business change
effectively within the social infrastructure of the workplace.”

What are the Benefits of Change Management?

Change management is not a reactive response if change happens; it is
preparation for when change happens. Change management allows you to
assess your situation and why change is needed, align your efforts and
resources, and manage the change itself.

By coordinating and structuring change as a process to be managed, you have

a far better chance of seeing results from your efforts. Change management
should lead your employees, teams, departments and organization toward
thriving and benefiting from change, rather than reacting and merely surviving
it—or even worse, seeing no results from the change efforts.

As Dr. Russell Johnson, MSU Foundation Professor of Management in the Eli

Broad College of Business, relates, only half of all change management
efforts lead to results, explaining that while “very few” had negative effects on
an organization, “about half of them had no effect, whereas the other half had
positive [but] varied in terms of how positive those changes were. So,
although change may not hurt the company, often times, it does not help the
company. And that is especially true when changes aren’t rolled out the
proper way.” 

Basic Principles of Successful Change Management

While the change management process can be different depending on the
industry and applied in different ways based on the department versus
organizational levels, rolling out change management in a “proper way” tends
to follow a few basic principles.

1. Create a Climate for Change

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For any organization facing the prospect of change, the first step is to create a
climate receptive to change. Change can intimidate, or even frustrate, and it is
vital for management to decrease resistance by communicating the
importance of the change, guiding the teams where change occurs and
providing a clear vision to jump-start the transition process. Communication
and transparency on the “why” and “how” behind change are crucial for
gaining employee trust and buy-in for change. This helps employees be
owners and implementers of the change.

2. Engage and Enable Change

Once the climate is favorable for change, the next step is to engage and
enable the organization to enact change. When change is required, it is
important to allocate responsibility. Does this change require a specific
individual or a team for implementation? Is it an organizational change to be
enacted at multiple levels? If so, who will be responsible for coordinating these
different levels? Having each of these questions answered can help guide the
change process and reduce ambiguities on responsibility. For this reason, it is
important to keep communication open, transparent and clear. Also, creating
short-term wins can help to keep morale and enthusiasm at high levels.

3. Implement and Sustain Change

With the organization engaged and individuals and teams enabled and
motivated, it is time to implement and sustain the change. At this point, it is
important to keep focused and maintain the pressure to achieve the desired
outcome. While this step may seem rudimentary, it is nonetheless the case
that some managers can lose focus and “ease up” during the process. If the
target goal shifts during the change process, do not hesitate to adjust
accordingly, shifting responsibilities or procedures to keep the drive and focus
sustained.

Once the change is implemented and the project has been completed, it is
time to solidify the new status-quo and transition the organization from a
state of flux to a state of permanence in order to sustain the change.

4. Review and Reflect on Change 

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With the general principles in place, one final step in the change management
process is a review. Despite the best efforts of management personnel to
communicate effectively and properly assign responsibilities, change is a
dynamic process. After completing a period of transition, it is important to
review the aspects of your process that did, or did not, work effectively, then
learn from the results.

Reflecting on the outcomes prepares you for next time. When your
organization faces change in the future, it can be a benefit to have
documented cases of previous procedures that were most beneficial to your
organization. With a change management team that has already pinpointed
any previous missteps and learned from mistakes, any new changes that arise
can be approached with confidence, rather than fear or dread, as positive
opportunities for the organization.

Become a transformational leader for your organization with MSU’s

online Strategic Leadership & Management Certificates.

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