It's interesting how this article on Training Zone moves away from the headline about Motivation training, to the importance of line managers providing stretching goals, support and relevant training opportunities. Sorry training suppliers out there, you can get people enthusiastic for a day (ra ra stuff and raft building), but I don't think you can train people to be motivated.
Motivation comes from within, and great performance comes from a mix of the individual's attitudes and motivation, their own personal circumstances, their level of skills for the work they do, whether they're in the right job, and of course, a good line manager who provides stretching goals, coaching and support.
Understanding and assessing those factors for each person is key - it's not complicated and can be done through using good assessment, measurement and feedback processes, and through supporting line managers.
I'd be very interested to see other comments on this - maybe I'm being too dismissive of something valuable..let me know if I am!!
I've also written a short paper on this. If anyone's interested it's called Successful Appraisal and Why People Underperform, and you can download it from www.tracksurveys.co.uk