Tips on motivation in the workplace

It sounds simple, and it is! Spending time with employees and getting to know them is an easy and effective way to engage them, and also to get their advice on motivation.

Getting to know their families, backgrounds and personal goals allows a business owner or manager to build a stronger relationship with them. Find a moment during the day to say hello, ask how their families are, or find out about their hobbies. This is a quick and straightforward practice that can make an employee feel that you care about them as a person, not just as a worker.

Equip them with the tools for success. As a manager, you need to ensure your employees understand what they are doing. Training within the scope of their specific job descriptions can give them greater confidence in their work. When a team member is unsure of what to do or how to handle a situation, productivity can grind to a halt whilst they try to resolve the issue. If it becomes too overwhelming, there is a chance that a minor hiccup could turn into a much bigger problem. Even if additional coaching or training is required, providing employees with a solid foundation for future tasks is a good step towards increasing their level of engagement.

Let them know how the company is doing. They are the backbone of the business and, often, its success or failure will depend on them. It is beneficial for them to take an interest in the company, and they should be made aware of its successes, concerns and struggles. Brief employees not only on the company’s successful initiatives, but also on those that haven’t gone so well. This allows your team to understand what works and what doesn’t, giving them the opportunity to develop new ideas for weaker areas and to remain proactive in the sectors where they operate.

Allow them to grow. You have spoken to them and seen the potential in their ability to help your company grow. The team you have assembled was chosen for a reason. Now, as their manager, you must give them the chance to demonstrate the skills required to carry out the task assigned to them.

Among the important pieces of advice on motivation is one that seems to be the least understood by companies. Give them the chance to express themselves so they can do their job well. If an employee comes to you with an idea that might not be what you’re looking for, choose to respond in a way that doesn’t discourage them from continuing to try and develop other concepts.

Offering encouragement and appreciation for their work is important. Many companies have various levels of management, each requiring everyone to report to someone else. One of the key practices for employee engagement, and among the tips on motivation, is supporting employees when they face a difficult situation. Regardless of the type of business, employees will face adversity from customers, other staff, and probably even from you. As a manager, you may be required to step in to rectify a situation and, at times, this may mean choosing sides. This is not always an easy task, but supporting employees is vital within the company.

Recognise your team’s hard work. A manager who acknowledges hard work and a job well done is a key motivator in developing best practices for employee engagement. To be a successful manager, it is important to understand which form of recognition works best for your staff. Words of encouragement can go a long way in this regard. A “well done” or “thank you” regarding a task might be just what that employee needed to hear to carry on with their work.

Listen to and act on employee feedback. Listening to what your customers have to say is important, but so is listening to your employees. Holding regular meetings to identify which areas of the workplace need improvement is a key part of motivation within the company. Using a company survey or even a monthly meeting to give your staff a voice is essential to making them feel part of the company. If there is a situation within the company that goes unnoticed or unacknowledged by management, it sends a negative message to your staff. If they know that management cares and listens to their concerns, they will continue to maintain a high level of commitment rather than becoming discouraged and disengaged.

Create a fear-free workplace. So many companies tend to operate in a performance-based environment. This kind of atmosphere is a breeding ground for fear and uncertainty, making it particularly difficult, if not impossible, to maintain consistent employee engagement.

Allow employees to make decisions without having to run everything up the chain of command: autonomy. These environments lacking operational autonomy can also lead to a fear of constant reprimand, and motivation plummets. Running a business where employees are punished for mistakes is the wrong approach!!!

Motivate, inspire and train employees. Not only should your employees understand the scope of their work, but as their manager, you should too. Creating a positive working environment starts with happy employees, but it doesn’t stop there. The tone is set by management right from the start, and a good way to set a positive tone is to be more than just their boss: be the best coach they could have. If you see an employee struggling with a task, approach them to see if you can help in any way. Let them show you just how well they can perform. For employees to feel passionate about their work and strive for the best results, they need to know that the company has faith in them.