9609 · 2.2.1
Motivation as a tool of management and leadership flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9609 Motivation as a tool of management and leadership (syllabus 2.2.1). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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Motivation in business?
Internal and external factors that drive employees to achieve organisational goals willingly.
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Link to productivity?
Motivated workers produce more output per hour and make fewer errors.
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Management role?
Plan, organise, control — design pay, tasks, supervision systems.
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Leadership role?
Inspire, communicate vision, build trust and commitment beyond rules.
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Cost of demotivation?
Turnover, recruitment/training costs, poor service, strikes.
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Link to 2.1 HRM?
HRM policies on pay, training, and relations affect motivation.
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Link to 7.3 leadership?
Leadership styles (autocratic vs democratic) shape motivation climate.
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Competitive advantage?
Motivated, skilled workforce hard for rivals to copy — sustainable edge.
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How do managers and leaders differ in their use of motivation?
Managers use motivation to control and direct employees towards specific targets, often using extrinsic rewards (pay, bonuses). Leaders use motivation to inspire commitment and a shared vision, focusing on intrinsic factors like autonomy, purpose, and growth.
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Explain the link between motivation and labour productivity.
Higher motivation can lead to increased effort, greater focus, and a willingness to work more effectively, resulting in more output per worker per time period. This lowers unit labour costs and increases a firm's efficiency and competitiveness.
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What is meant by 'discretionary effort'?
The level of effort employees could give if they wanted to, but which is above the minimum required for their job. Effective leadership aims to unlock this discretionary effort by fostering intrinsic motivation and commitment.
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How can a motivated workforce improve a firm's competitive advantage?
By leading to lower costs (higher productivity, lower turnover), better quality, superior customer service, and greater innovation. These factors differentiate the business from its rivals in a way that is difficult to copy, creating a sustainable advantage.
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Distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors, such as pay, bonuses, or fear of punishment. Intrinsic motivation comes from within the individual, driven by personal satisfaction, interest in the task, and a sense of accomplishment.