In my experience, I have found that most people want to do a good job. They go to work and they want to do their best. There are some who are just floating by, but they seem to be the exception and not the norm. In general, we have a decently motivated workforce going about their business and doing their jobs. So, what goes wrong?
Leadership.
It's not that the workers aren't motivated, it's that they are de-motivated. I've seen this, a lot. There are leaders and managers out there that like to check up on their teams, to see how they are doing, even when there is no new information to give or to receive. Sometimes that is just how people lead, and sometimes they feel like they aren't making enough of a contribution, so they go and push the team a bit, trying to "motivate" them, or get that 110%.
There's the problem. If you don't have anything to offer, and there is nothing you need, think twice about trying to motivate your team. Remember, in general, we have an already motivated workforce. If they are already at 100%, pushing them to 110% is really like pushing them to 70%, and if you have nothing to offer, and don't need anything, well, not many people like to be micromanaged.
As leaders, sometimes a few well-placed words or a little information can drive a team to succeed, but our words can also do just the opposite if we aren't careful.
-Alexander C. Cook MEng, MBA, PEng, PMP
Image Souce: https://despair.com/products/leaders