Strategies Middle Managers of Nonprofit Health Care Organizations Use to Motivate Their Administrative Workforce

Despite the awareness of employee motivation among scholars and business leaders, many American workers attest to being unmotivated. A lack of employee motivation can lead to negative business outcomes. Therefore, middle managers may experience challenges in identifying strategies to motivate their staff. Grounded in the path-goal theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore nonprofit health care organization middle managers\u27 motivational strategies for the administrative workforce. The participants were comprised of 13 middle managers in the United States who supervised administrative teams of 4 or more members for over 2 years and effectively implemented motivational strategies. The data collection methods were telephonic semistructured interviews and reflective journaling. Through thematic analysis, 3 themes emerged: utilization of various leadership behaviors, awareness of motivational factors, and employee performance. The implications for positive social change include the potential to stimulate personal drive, improve career development, and allow individuals the opportunity to increase the quality of their home lives and communities. By understanding effective motivational strategies, health care leaders may realize tactical solutions to business goals through the development of their managerial staff\u27s inspirational approaches