Motivation
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Topics
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 | Basic Motivation Concepts and Theories |
| Management Techniques Used to Motivate Employees |
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Readings
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Lecture Notes
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Web Resources
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Video Picks
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| There are several good movies that illustrate various
motivation theories. A few of my personal favorites include: |
| Mister Roberts (1955) staring Henry
Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and James Cagney: A superb comedy-drama of life aboard a World War II
cargo ship where the crew relies on the genial
Mister Roberts to mediate the tantrums of an unqualified captain. The film is an
excellent illustration of two leaders who very different views of their crews'
motivations. The captain operates largely out of a Theory X world view while
Mister Roberts has a more optimistic Theory Y assessment of the crew. The film
received 2 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Jack Lemmon won an
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The sequel Ensign Pulver (1964)
staring Walter Matthau illustrates the same themes and is also quite funny. |
| Dead Poets Society (1989) staring Robin
Williams: An unconventional New England prep school teacher inspires his
students with poetry and encourages them to embrace life. It is an excellent
illustration of what can happen when people become motivated to achieve the last step on
Maslow's Hierarchy of needs -- self actualization. The tension between the teacher
and the head master also illustrates the differences between having a Theory X vs. an
Theory Y view of student motivation. The movie was nominated for 4 Academy Awards
including Best Picture, Best Actor--Robin Williams, and Best (Original) Screenplay and won
an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. |
| Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) staring Richard Dreyfuss: An aspiring composer becomes a terrific
music teacher in spite of himself in this inspirational chronicle of thirty years in the
life of a man who, through his sheer love of music, leaves an unexpected, indelible mark
on the lives of his students. It is a good illustration of one individual's motivation to
public service and the impacts that one can have on others through there efforts to lead
and motivate. Richard Dreyfuss received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. |
| Stand
and Deliver (1987) staring Edward James Olmos, Andy Garcia, Lou Diamond
Phillips, and Rosana De Soto: It is a true story of high school teacher who takes a
class not
expected to exceed beyond basic arithmetic and has them achieve record high scores in the
state's Advanced Placement Calculus Exam. It is an excellent illustration of the
effect that leadership and motivation can have on people. Edward James Olmos
received an Academy Award nomination for: Best Actor for his performance. |
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