Student query: Motivation

Nohria, Groysberg, & Lee (2008) of the Harvard Business Review say that "Getting people to do their best work, even in trying circumstances, is one of managers' most enduring and slippery challenges. Indeed, deciphering what motivates us as human beings is a centuries-old puzzle."

Reflect upon the ways you have witnessed management trying to motivate employees. Explain the scenario and answer the following questions. What has made the motivation successful or unsuccessful? What factors should be considered before trying to motivate an organization? Which of the motivational theories was the basis for their motivational attempt?