Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2009 - (Page 27)

challenging work for which they can assume responsibility. Read the latter four more times (five for my fellow C shifters) to get the point. OK, now that we understand what works, let’s discuss what doesn’t work. According to Herzberg, externally imposed management attempts to get the employee to be motivated are worthless. The key here is that when management and/or leadership try to “install a generator” into employees they are imposing an external KITA (explained by the Author as a Kick in the Pants – in true 1967 style). The KITA principle assures one thing – that the boss kicks the employee in the pants. So, who’s motivated? The boss IS MOTIVATED because he is doing the kicking; the employee moves but is NOT MOTIVATED. So, if you kick your dog, he will move. However, to get him to move again you must KICK HIM AGAIN. If you are as tired reading the word KICK as much as I am writing the word KICK I think you get the point here. I don’t want to spend my day in the KITA mode! So we know now that installing a generator “via bugles” into the firefighter is not going to work. What will work is if the employees have their own internally installed generators working. Then they can work with no outside stimulation and want to do a good job. There are the desired employees, a shift full of these firefighters is a blessing to the community and the fire officer. You most likely are asking the question, “OK, how do I install the generator?” Herzberg drew on at least 17 different investigations in many different settings involving 1,685 employees to come up with what causes job satisfaction (and motivation) and what causes job dissatisfaction. Contrary to popular belief the element of dissatisfaction is not directly related to job de-motivation; however, it relates to what Herzberg calls the job content. He explains that our built in desire to avoid pain from the environment will drive us to dissatisfaction- avoidance or hygiene. Hygiene is not the opposite of motivation. It is, however, necessary and often does create a large amount of dissatisfaction. As an example, I don’t get real excited about brushing my teeth. If I don’t brush often, I will lose my teeth. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid, no pay, no food on the table. Hunger is a basic biological need and makes a basic biological drive (hygiene). Herzberg proved that pay is important but not a motivator. He claimed that the only motivation caused by a raise is to anticipate the next raise, a true vicious cycle. In my thirty years in the fire service, I have never seen anyone truly self-motivated because of a salary bump or more benefits. Giving self-motivated firefighters more time off can actually de-motivate them. If you are going to install the generator, you must understand what truly leads to extreme satisfaction while minimizing elements that produce dissatisfaction. The right list is the key to understand the success to the installation. The left list is necessary as a hygienic measure and important, but can lead to extreme dissatisfaction. FACTORS THAT AFFECT JOB ATTITUDES Maintenance (Hygienic) Factors Events that led to Extreme Dissatisfaction Company policy and Administration Supervision Relationship with Supervisor Personal Life Relationships with subordinates Status Security TEXAS FIRE CHIEF Spring/Summer 2009 Satisfaction (Motivators) Factors Events that led to Extreme Satisfaction Achievement Recognition The Work Itself Advancement Growth In looking at the two lists, it becomes obvious that the fire service often applies hygienic factors to satisfy employees. Herzberg’s work proves contradictory to many of our current belief systems. If we focus on designing a fire service built on achievement, recognition, advancement and growth for the employee, we can assure that we have done our due diligence to support a self-motivated fire service. Let’s leave the KITA to those who have the time and the desire to KICK. 27

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2009

Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2009 Contents Executive Director's Report 2009 Annual Conference Preview Hurricane Resistant Fire Stations in South Texas Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System The IAFC and TV Worldwide Launch IAFC TV KITA and Firefighter Motivation TFCA Legislator Award What Do They See When They See You Coming? Texas Fire Chiefs Academy Standing Tall Lake Travis Fire Rescue Answers the Call 2009 TFCA Executive Board TFCA Region Map Index to Advertisers

Texas Fire Chief - Spring/Summer 2009

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