Lesson Plan

• Describe the key principles of each of the five content motivation theories.
• Identify the strengths and limitations of Taylor, Mayo, Maslow, Herzberg and McClelland.
• Compare the theories to determine which are most appropriate for different business contexts.
• Apply at least two theories to a real‑world case study and propose a blended motivation strategy.

• Projector and laptop
• PowerPoint slides summarising each theory
• Printed handout of the comparison table
• Case‑study worksheets (business scenario)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Exit‑ticket slips

Begin with the question “What gets you out of bed for work?” to spark interest. Link students’ existing knowledge of financial incentives to the broader idea that motivation can stem from many sources. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify, compare and apply five major content theories of motivation.

1. Do‑now (5'): Students write three personal motivators on sticky notes and place them on the board.
2. Mini‑lecture (15'): Overview of the five theories with PowerPoint visuals and brief examples.
3. Group case analysis (15'): In groups of 3‑4, students use the handout to analyse a provided business scenario, matching motivational strategies to each theory.
4. Comparison activity (10'): Teams complete a Venn‑style chart comparing strengths and limitations.
5. Whole‑class debrief (10'): Groups share findings; teacher highlights how a blended approach can address diverse employee needs.
6. Exit ticket (5'): Students write one actionable motivation idea for a chosen theory and submit.

Recap the five theories and emphasise that effective motivation often requires combining elements from each. Collect exit tickets as a quick retrieval check. For homework, assign a 300‑word reflection where students select a real company and propose a motivation plan using at least two of the studied theories.