The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership

Chapter 7: Motivation and people management 171

Maintaining high morale is key to high motivation and morale

covers the individuals and the team. Where an individual has low

morale, the issues have to be addressed on an individual basis, but

where group or team morale is low, the answer lies in deciding

whether there is a lack of confidence:

• of ultimate success


• in the present plan(s)


• in the leadership/management


• in the minds of team members.

It can be necessary to remotivate the team by rebuilding self-

confidence and by readdressing:

• aims – and clarifying objectives


• plans, resources needed


• leadership


• overlooked factors


• re-establishing the worth or value of the task(s)


• involvement of individuals in key decisions.

Create a motivating environment

Guidelines here are:

1 Beware of creating a restrictive organisation with an over-

emphasis on controls

2 Avoid public criticisms of individuals

3 Ensure Herzberg’s hygiene factors are catered for – the physical

and psychological well-being of people should have high priority

4 Control systems should only be introduced where necessary

5 Give people an input into decisions which affect their working

lives (especially in respect of substantial change)