Motivational Theories and Principles in Leadership

Theories and Principles in Leadership| Online Short Course

Exceptional leadership starts with understanding what drives people. The Motivational Theories and Principles in Leadership course explores the psychological foundations behind motivation and how they shape effective leadership qualities. This course is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to elevate team performance, boost morale, and lead with influence and empathy.

Whether you manage a team, run a business, or lead in your community, mastering motivation is a key leadership quality that separates good leaders from great ones. Learn how to inspire action, empower others, and cultivate a positive, productive work environment.

What You’ll Learn

Through this course, you’ll develop core leadership competencies by exploring:

  • Major motivational theories such as Maslow, Herzberg, and McClelland.
  • The link between motivation and employee performance.
  • Techniques to motivate individuals and teams across different contexts.
  • Leadership styles and how they impact team dynamics.
  • How to foster engagement, autonomy, and accountability in your leadership approach.

These insights will help you lead with greater clarity, purpose, and emotional intelligence.

Who Should Enrol

This course is ideal for:

  • Emerging leaders seeking to build foundational leadership qualities.
  • Managers and supervisors aiming to improve team motivation and performance.
  • HR professionals and trainers supporting leadership development.
  • Business owners and executives who want to lead more effectively.
  • Anyone eager to understand the science of motivation to become a better leader.

If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership qualities and unlock the full potential of those you lead, this course offers the tools and knowledge to help you thrive. Enrol today and lead with inspiration and intention.

This unit standard is suitable for learners who will be working within a Public Sector, Local Government, commercial or community environment, and will fulfil a leadership role as part of their job. This unit standard will also add value to public officials who are seeking to develop a career pathway towards an accomplished integrated development planner or public sector management and administration specialist.

Course Content

  • The term motivation is defined and discussed with examples
  • Motivating triggers are discussed with examples
  • Motivation is discussed in relation to its impact on performance levels
  • The negative impact of demotivation is discussed with examples
  • Typical indicators for measuring motivation levels are identified and selected for a leadership context
  • Motivation is discussed from an inspirational perspective and the importance of inspiration in driving self and others is explained with examples
  • Two theories of motivation are compared in terms of how each enables people to be motivated in both the personal and work environment
  • A theory is chosen and explained in terms of its application to self
  • A theory is chosen and explained in terms of its application to a team
  • An action plan is compiled to motivate self and others based on the chosen theories
  • Self-motivation levels are analysed and motivational problem areas identified in relation to leadership abilities
  • A plan to enhance self-motivation is outlined and implemented within a given timeframe
  • Techniques for sustaining self-motivation are identified and implemented in a leadership context
  • Leadership principles and skills are applied to enhance self-motivation in work context
  • The techniques leaders can use to motivate a team are identified and applied in their own work context
  • The importance of leading by example is discussed and the concept of being a role-model in a leadership context is explained with examples
  • The importance that recognition, information, communication, empathy, decision-making and environment play in motivating others is discussed with examples
  • The importance of creating a positive, conducive environment is discussed in relation to motivation
  • Feedback mechanisms are identified and applied to effectively motivate others
  • An action plan for motivating own work teams is outlined and implemented within given timeframes
  • The concept of empowerment is discussed as it relates to motivating others in a leadership context
  • The role of personal success in inspiring self and others is discussed with examples
  • Non-accredited: Short course only  
  • Duration: 1h 30m
  • Delivery: Classroom/Online/Blended
  • Access Period: 12 Months 
SpecCon Short Course
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