Years ago most employers motivated employees by behaving like law-enforcement officers.  Workplace rules and production standards were established solely by the boss.  If employees failed to follow these rules or failed to meet production levels, they were punished through pay reductions or job termination.  Over the years, motivational theories have changed so the employer has assumed the role of a coach rather than a cop.  A coach of a sports team provides the player with the equipment, training, and strategies to win games.  Similarly, an employer provides the employees with the equipment, training, and motivation necessary to provide exceptional service and products to customers.

During the 1940's, Abraham Maslow¹ established the groundwork for current employee motivational techniques.  Maslow is now considered the father of humanistic psychology.  Humanistic psychology incorporates aspects of both behavioral psychology and psychoanalytic psychology.  Behavioral psychologists follow the teachings of Skinner who believed that human behavior is controlled by external environmental factors.  On the other hand, psychoanalytic psychologists follow the teachings of Freud who proposed the idea human behavior is controlled by internal unconscious forces.  Maslow's motivation theory states that human behavior is controlled by both external and internal factors and by the need for healthy humans to be the best they can be.