Herzberg’s Motivation Theory
What is Herzberg's Motivation Theory?
Herzberg's motivation theory, also known as the two-factor theory, proposes that job satisfaction is influenced by two distinct sets of factors: hygiene factors and motivator factors. Hygiene factors pertain to external conditions such as the workplace environment and salary, while motivator factors are typically intangible elements like receiving recognition or opportunities for personal growth.
The Basic Idea
It is difficult, day in and day out, to be motivated to complete our work. There are so many factors that influence our motivation, whether or not we procrastinate, and if we feel satisfied by the work we are completing.
Herzberg’s Motivation theory recognizes these factors are both internal and external, referred to as motivators and hygiene factors. Motivators include having responsibility, receiving recognition, or being interested in the work - all contribute to satisfaction. Hygiene factors, like work conditions, salary, and company policies, do not cause an employee to be more satisfied, but if they are absent, they will cause an employee to be dissatisfied. One novel component of Herzberg’s motivation theory is that satisfaction is not seen as the opposite of dissatisfaction.1 The two are separate phenomena influenced by different factors. Dissatisfaction is impacted by hygiene factors, while satisfaction is obtained through motivators.
It’s the job of a manager not to light the fire of motivation, but to create an environment to let each person’s personal spark of motivation blaze.
– Frederick Herzberg2
About the Authors
Dan Pilat
Dan is a Co-Founder and Managing Director at The Decision Lab. He is a bestselling author of Intention - a book he wrote with Wiley on the mindful application of behavioral science in organizations. Dan has a background in organizational decision making, with a BComm in Decision & Information Systems from McGill University. He has worked on enterprise-level behavioral architecture at TD Securities and BMO Capital Markets, where he advised management on the implementation of systems processing billions of dollars per week. Driven by an appetite for the latest in technology, Dan created a course on business intelligence and lectured at McGill University, and has applied behavioral science to topics such as augmented and virtual reality.
Dr. Sekoul Krastev
Sekoul is a Co-Founder and Managing Director at The Decision Lab. He is a bestselling author of Intention - a book he wrote with Wiley on the mindful application of behavioral science in organizations. A decision scientist with a PhD in Decision Neuroscience from McGill University, Sekoul's work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented at conferences around the world. Sekoul previously advised management on innovation and engagement strategy at The Boston Consulting Group as well as on online media strategy at Google. He has a deep interest in the applications of behavioral science to new technology and has published on these topics in places such as the Huffington Post and Strategy & Business.
