Motivation is just that... Why does an employee do something? What causes one employee or manager to work so much harder, more efficiently, or just "better" than another? All things equal, it's motivation. Motivation answers the "what's in it for me?" question. It gives employees and managers the reason they need to do more. Motivation can include:

• Recognition - formal and informal
• Work challenges
• Career opportunities
• Incentive (variable) pay
• The organization's performance

All these can create an environment where a manager or employee will, given the proper general environment, take their knowledge, skills and abilities and apply them in ways far beyond normal expectations.