Leadership

Leadership Scenario

Effective managers that apply leadership theories and motivation theories can create productive employees to reach organizational goals. In the case study “A Question of Motivation” Robbins and Judge (2007) have created two managers for this scenario; Jonathan is the more effective manager who is liked by his employees while Dan is a less effective manager that is not well liked. They also introduce two employees; Stephanie who works for Jonathan she is very happy with her job and has a high respect for Jonathan as her manager. Alex is very unhappy with his job and has no respect for his manager Dan. Our team has chosen to analyze this case study by applying the motivational theories of “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” and the “Equity Theory of Motivation”; the leadership theories of “The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership” and “The Hershey-Blanchard Life Cycle Theory of Leadership” (Certo & Certo, 2009).
Motivation
Motivation is very important in understanding employee’s behavior and can influence this behavior to accomplish goals and objectives. Managers need to understand their employee’s needs, roles and perceptions in order to motivate (Certo & Certo, 2009). In the case study by Robbins and Judge (2007), “A Question of Motivation” the two managers (Dan & Jonathan) have two totally different ideas of motivation. The motivation theories that can be applied to this situation are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the Equity Theory of Motivation.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow's hierarchy of needs includes the terms physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization; describes the pattern that the motivations of humans usually move through. (Certo & Certo, 2009)
Maslow’s physiological needs rest at the bottom of the pyramid when it comes to human needs and motivation. These needs include