Motivation is defined as the set of forces that initiates, directs, and makes people persist in their efforts to accomplish a goal. Some define motivation as a theoretical construct, used to explain behavior. It is the scientific word used to represent the reason for our actions, our desires, and our needs. Motives are hypothetical constructs, used to explain why people do what they do. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that people are motivated by physiological (food and water), safety (physical and economic), belongingness (friendship, love, and social interaction), esteem (achievement and recognition), and self-actualization (realizing your full potential) needs. Needs are arranged in a hierarchy from low (physiological) to high (self-actualization). Within this hierarchy, people are motivated by their lowest unsatisfied need. As each need is met, they work their way up the hierarchy from physiological to self-actualization needs. Another theory of motivation is Alderfer’s ERG theory, which suggests people are motivated by three needs: existence (safety and physiological needs), relatedness (belongingness), and growth (esteem and self-actualization). Alderfer says that people can be motivated by more than one need at a time. Furthermore, he suggests that people are just as likely to move down the needs hierarchy as up, particularly when they are unable to achieve satisfaction at the next higher need level. A manager faces several challenges in motivating employees in today’s workforce. The three challenges are diversity, organizational restructuring, and fewer entry-level employees. These three challenges did not exist fifty years