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Motivation at Work
Helpful Vocabulary & Phrases

Take a look at these motivational images and discuss what each one is trying to
say

1. If someone in your family needs your help for several
hours of hard work, which of these reasons would make you
most likely to help?
A. I would help because they are my family and I love them.
B. If I help them, they will help me when I need it.
C. If I don’t, it will strain family relations or make them angry.
D. If I don’t, they will criticize me to other family members.

2. What can your boss offer you if he needs you to work extra
carefully or extra long hours?
A. Extra pay
B. Job security
C. Future promotion to a higher position
D. Appreciation, respect, and the chance to help our company do better
E. A threat: it will hurt your position in the company if you don’t (or you might be fired)

3. What are you willing to spend a large amount of money to
buy?
A. Things that will help my family
B. Things that will keep my family and home safe
C. Things that will make life more comfortable
D. Things that make life more enjoyable
E. Things that will save us money or are priced very well (big sales or discounts,
etc.)

Vocabulary (we can use when
we talk about motivation)

Motivation can come from ___________ factors like wanting to fee
confident, as well as _________ factors like wanting to earn a bon

Motivation can come from INTERNAL factors like wanting to feel
confident, as well as EXTERNAL factors like wanting to earn a bo

Lucy is an extremely __________ person. She has always focuse
her goals in life, and she works very hard in everything she does.

Lucy is an extremely DRIVEN person. She has always focused on
her goals in life, and she works very hard in everything she does.

As the team manager, John’s goal was to encourage each employe
be _____________ with their job. He wanted them all motivated
and productive.

As the team manager, John’s goal was to encourage each employe
be FULLY ENGAGED with their job. He wanted them all motivated
and productive.

Joe deeply admired his boss and craved ____________ and
his boss’ approval.

Joe deeply admired his boss and craved RECOGNITION and
his boss’ approval.

“I’m not interested in changing my job at this time. I’ve got great
job _______________ at my present job. I have to care for my pare
so that’s my priority.”

“I’m not interested in changing my job at this time. I’ve got great
job SECURITY at my present job. I have to care for my parents
so that’s my priority.”

As a new graduate, Kim was interested in working for a company th
could provide career ______________ opportunities. She aimed to
a manager in 5 years.

As a new graduate, Kim was interested in working for a company th
could provide career ADVANCEMENT opportunities. She aimed to
be a manager in 5 years.

Tom never bent the rules because he feared _____________. He w
motivated to work by the book and stay out of trouble.

Tom never bent the rules because he feared DISCIPLINE. He was
motivated to work by the book and stay out of trouble.

Kevin is an incredibly ______________ employee. He works until th
job is finished, he respects deadlines, and he’s a great role model
for junior staff.

Kevin is an incredibly DISCIPLINED employee. He works until the
job is finished, he respects deadlines, and he’s a great role model
for junior staff.

Jennifer is a boss who believes in giving raises to employees based
on ___________ rather than seniority. Some younger employees w
harder than older employees, therefore, they deserve to be rewarde

Jennifer is a boss who believes in giving raises to employees based
on MERIT rather than seniority. Some younger employees work
harder than older employees, therefore, they deserve to be rewarde

Chris was so grateful when his boss complimented his strong
presentation, and because of that – he worked with even more
dedication! A little ____________ goes a long way at work.

Chris was so grateful when his boss complimented his strong
presentation, and because of that – he worked with even more
dedication! A little PRAISE goes a long way at work.

There was a direct ______________ between the number of times
a boss gave praise and employee productivity. The more she
complimented her staff, the harder they worked at the office.

There was a direct CORRELATION between the number of times
a boss gave praise and employee productivity. The more she
complimented her staff, the harder they worked at the office.

Our company encourages its employees to self- ____________ ou
performance during the year. It requires a lot of honesty and
internal reflection.

Our company encourages its employees to self- EVALUATE our
performance during the year. It requires a lot of honesty and
internal reflection.

In order to ___________ motivation within the team, their manager
suggested they spend a weekend together at the beach. The more
they got along as colleagues, the better they could work together in
the office.

In order to FOSTER motivation within the team, their manager
suggested they spend a weekend together at the beach. The more
they got along as colleagues, the better they could work together in
the office.

After being disciplined for not meeting her impossible target,
Anna felt very ___________ and started losing interest in work

After being disciplined for not meeting her impossible target,
Anna felt very DISCOURAGED and started losing interest in work

Christopher wasn’t motivated by money; he was more
interested in raising his _____________ at work. He was determine
to become the Director of Operations!

Christopher wasn’t motivated by money; he was more
interested in raising his STATUS at work. He was determined
to become the Director of Operations!

Jill demonstrated her ______________ by handling a very sticky
situation with great diplomacy and skill. She was ready to be
promoted to team manager.

Jill demonstrated her COMPETENCE by handling a very sticky
situation with great diplomacy and skill. She was ready to be
promoted to team manager.

James was determined to increase his ______________ by 20%
next year. He was under a lot of pressure to provide for his family.

James was determined to increase his EARNINGS by 20%
next year. He was under a lot of pressure to provide for his family.