Expectations are a double-edged sword in the sense that if you have too many expectations and if they do not get fulfilled then you get disappointed and if you do not keep any expectations then you are called a pessimist having no goal in life. In the case of the workplace employees also have expectations from their job as well as from the company and that is where the expectancy theory of motivation comes into play. The expectancy theory of motivation in simple words refers to that theory where if employees are given options at the workplace they will choose the option which according to them will give them their expected reward which varies from individual to individual. In order to understand this concept better one should look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the expectancy theory of motivation –
Advantages of Expectancy Theory
Focuses on Outcome
The first and foremost advantage of the expectancy theory of motivation is that it focuses on the outcome which an individual expects while working rather than focusing on basic needs or security aspect which is the case with Maslow theory of motivation, In simple words, every employee expects something while working for a company and majority of the time the focus is on company’s goals and not on individuals goals which this theory tries to correct as the focus of this theory is to ensure that employees get ample opportunities in the company to select the alternative which gives them maximum satisfaction or reward.
Motivates Employees
Another advantage of this theory is that it helps in motivating employees because when employees know that the company is supporting their expectations then they will work hard with honesty leading to the achievement of the objective by the company. In simple words, this theory works on give and take relationship where the company gives employees a working environment that meets employee expectations and the company, in turn, hope for sincere efforts from employees towards the achievement of the company’s goal.
Identification of Future Leaders
Great companies think about the future and this theory can come in handy in the identification of future leaders or managers who can take the company to next level as knowing about expectations of employees can throw light on the personality and work ethics of employees which in turn makes it easy for the company to identify employees having that fire and enthusiasm in them to excel and become future leaders or managers. In simple words, it helps the company in segregating between employees having high expectations from employees having low expectations and the company has to identify potential leaders or managers from employees having high expectations while ignoring the employee having low expectations.
Disadvantages of Expectancy Theory
Difference in Expectations
The biggest disadvantage of this theory is that expectations of all employees cannot be same and while come expectations can be met but to think that expectations of all employees will be met is not possible which makes theory impractical. In simple words when you go in a restaurant with your family and each member will have different liking as far as the menu of the restaurant is concerned but you cannot order all the food and you have to make consensus where someone will have to sacrifice his or her choice of food, in case of companies the same thing applies where some employees expectations will not be met for the greater good of the company.
Company’s Goal is Sidelined
Another problem with this theory is that while an individual’s expectations and goals are given importance but it results in the company’s goal and expectations being sidelined which can be disastrous for any company very existence of the company can be in jeopardy if the company keeps thinking about employees only. In simple words, great companies are not those who take care of only their employees rather great companies are those who maintain a balance between employee satisfaction and the company’s profits.
Complex Process
It is a complex process in the sense that one cannot quantify or generalize employee expectations which is the case with Maslow’s theory of motivation where one can generalize basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, and safety needs. In simple words since every human is different which in turn leads to their expectations being also different and hence this theory makes it complicated for the company to satisfy and meet the expectations of every employee of the company.
As one can see from the above that expectancy theory has pros as well as cons and that is the reason why any company thinking of using this theory of motivation at the workplace should carefully read the above points and then only should take any decision.