7. Apply a carefully designed remuneration and promotion system

The situation here is similar to the one regarding good communication. Better remuneration and promotions cannot in themselves motivate people, but systems that have been poorly thought through or are perceived as unfair will almost inevitably demotivate people. Decisions about remuneration systems and promotions must always be made scrupulously and with the utmost care.

In a nutshell, motivation is a product of your own behavior and of competent management. To a very considerable extent, the responsibility for motivation lies with you. Many people are astonished to discover just how greatly they can influence their own degree of motivation if they make a conscious decision to do so and apply themselves to remaining motivated. Thus, the matter is in your own hands. However, it has also become clear that you, as a manager, can considerably influence the level of motivation in your organization by creating conditions that facilitate the build-up of motivation. Thus, motivation is a consequence of competent management.