People in leadership positions often speak of the need to “motivate” people, meaning that you do something to get them to work harder. In one sense, no one ever “motivates” anyone else. Real motivation is internal; it comes from within. But with a better understanding of the principles of human motivation – the desires and situations that move people to action – you, as a team leader, can create a climate that encourages the development of motivation and maximizes individual and team performance.

The most common forms of motivation in business and industry are based on what is called the law of cause and effect or the principle of reinforcement. The organization rewards the behavior it wants to continue but interrupts the reward process or provides penalties for the behavior it wants to eliminate. The reinforcement principle is familiar throughout society: in home, at school, at work, and in law enforcement.