Leadership Styles and Motivational Theories for Small Businesses Coursework

Leadership Styles and Motivational Theories for Small Businesses - Coursework Example Motivational Theories for a Small Business Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs One of the best known motivational theories is known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. According to Abraham Maslow, human beings have some basic needs which occur according to the level of their importance. The lowest needs in the hierarchy of needs that must be met first include food, water, air, sleep, and sex. The next level after the first hierarchy involves needs such as safety and security, followed by other social needs such as self-esteem. The highest level in the hierarch has self-actualization needs (Hatten 2011, p. 415). Small business entrepreneurs should be aware that their workers will not always demand these needs in a similar manner and in the same order. There are instances whereby employees will be at different levels of needs in different instances. However, sometimes the needs may occur simultaneously. To cater to the varying employee needs, a variety of ways to motivate their behav ior are required. For instance, the use of money to motivate employees can pose challenges at the work place. In most small business environments, money is seen as providing basic physiological needs but not being important for the employee to achieve other needs in the hierarchy. ... ow’s theory helps entrepreneurs to learn that in the process of motivating their employees, they should recognize that people have needs that arise suddenly and continue to require attention until they are satisfied. Employees can have lower end needs that must be met before they concentrate on a higher level need. Employees must have good food, water and air before they begin to achieve social needs at the workplace. Socialization at the workplace cannot be attained when the lower end needs in the hierarchy, which are important, are not met (Miner 2007, p. 27). Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory Another important theory of motivation in the small businesses is known as Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. Small business entrepreneurs can benefit from this theory since it states that the factors that produce job satisfaction are not the same as those that motivate employees to excel. Herzberg referred to the factors that cause employees to feel good about thei r job as job hygiene factors. Job hygiene factors such as safe working conditions and reasonable pay should be met at the workplace. In addition, the presence of these factors leads to contentment among employees but may not motivate them to excel. True motivation at workplace may require factors such as recognition, advancement, or job enrichment (Hatten 2011, p. 415). The most important aspect to consider in motivating employees for the small businesses is to know what is important to them. For instance, if the entrepreneur avails a motivational reward that is not appropriate to the employees, it may look like a form of punishment (Miner 2007, p. 27). Leadership Style for a Small Business Many scholars and leadership experts argue that leadership is the driving force of any organization. This is because