Page 181 - NS-2 Textbook

174 LEADERSHIP

Items most often put at the bottom of any such listing
are the threat of disciplinary action, not having to work
too hard, and working tmder close supervision. Note that
each of these is negative, vvhereas the nine above are all
positive.
To help motivate "\vorkers, therefore, a leader must
give each one the chance to develop his or her abilities
and talents. He or she must allow them to use their ini-
tiative and judgment within the constraints the leader
sets up.

MORALE

Aesthetic needs' High morale is the result of effective leadership. No di-
symmetry,
order, and beauty rection of human activity is possible without it, and no
failure is final until morale is destroyed. Morale is based
Cognitive needs: to know, on the belief of the leader in the followel; of the follower
understand, and explore
in the leader, of each in themselves, and of both in the
Esteem needs: to achieve, be
competent, and gain approval and recognition cause.
What is morale, since it is so important? Morale is ilie
Belonging and love needs: to affiliate state of mind of an individual. Living conditions, food,
with others, be accepted, and belong
quarters, discipline, pay, and duties all affect morale. How
Safety needs: to feel secure and safe,
out of danger important a person feels in a group plays a big part in how
good or how bad his or her morale is. Everything that
Phys!o!ogical needs: hunger, thirst, and so forth
makes a person feel well and satisfied builds up morale,
and everything that bothers him or her lowers morale.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow believed the needs that are To have high morale, an individual must first have
lower in the hierarchy must be at least partly satisfied before standards and goals that make daily life meaningful. Sec-
those that are higher can become important sources of motiva-
tion. (Based on II A Theory of Human Motivation," by Abraham ond, he or she must know what must be completed or
H. Maslow.) solved in order to reach those goals; there must be satis-
fying rewards. TIlird, a person's basic goals must be in
line with other members of the group, so that his or her
morale can be kept high during periods of stress.
an inner force. TIle motivated person is self-starting and The leader must realize that high morale is present
self-controlled; he or she does what is necessary to get only in groups that are disciplined and efficient. Morale
the job done by him- or herself. What are the things that can be measured by inspections of personnel and their
make people want to do a better job? Many surveys have equipment. Interviews can help determine if morale is
been done over the years to hy to determine these things. high or low. A key fact to remember about morale: noth-
In the civilian business world, such matters directly af- ing will destroy it so surely as inactivity and boredom. At
fect production, relationships with unions, public good- the same time, relaxation and freedom are essential. The
will, and profits. In the Navy, these things directly affect leader must plan a schedule with a proper mix of work
morale, readiness, and reenlistrnents. and play to keep up morale.
Such surveys have fOlmd that there are nine main
motivating factors. In order of inlportance, these are
BUILDING MORALE
1. Feeling that one's work is inlportant The following are some general rules for building high
2. Opportunity to do interesting work morale in a unit. A leader should
3. Opportunity for self-development and inlprove-
ment 1. Make people confident in his or her ability.
4. Goodpay 2. Stay in touch with individuals' problems and
5. Chance for advancement vvishes.
6. Respect as an individual 3. Be consistent and fair in assigning duties and in
7. Chance to produce work of high quality giving rewards and punishments.
8. Knowing what is going on in the organization 4. Show people that he or she respects them and is
9. High degree of freedom on the job proud to be with them.