Motivating language as a validation strategy for decision making in organizations

Abstract

Motivating language is a key communication tool that managers use to motivate their employees to achieve strategic goals. This construct is based on three dimensions: direction-giving/uncertainty reducing language, empathetic language and meaning-making language. The purpose of this study was to analyze motivating language as a validation strategy for decision making in organizations. The design and methodology were quantitative, cross-sectional and used surveys to statistically validate the motivating language construct under confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement instrument used was that developed by Mayfield, Mayfield, & Kopf (1995), the seven-point Likert scale was used. The participants were 255 employees from the administrative area of​ public and private companies located in Guayaquil, Posorja and Milagro cities located in Ecuador. The measurement instrument for motivating language was adjusted to the studied population with seventeen observable variables. To analyze the decision-making variable, studies related to communication were selected from literature review to establish an association of qualities. In conclusion, it was shown that motivating language contributes to a favorable organizational climate for decision-making for both leaders and employees. Empathetic language predominated as the most effective form of communication from leaders.