Motivation in the workplace - myths and tips
Motivation in the workplace - myths and tips
Motivation in the workplace - myths and tips
If no one is following, you aren't leading! Motivation in the workplace is a central part of leadership. Creating a climate where people are able to do their best work is your job. And when there are tough targets to be reached, energy is starting to wane and your people start to lose focus, you may be tempted to draw on quick fixes - financial bonuses, perks, threats or unhealthy competition - to keep people working. The effectiveness of these strategies is short-lived, hard work for you and unlikely to get the sustained results you need.
The key to an effective workplace employee motivation strategy is to provide a range of incentives that will appeal to different personalities. While one individual may be highly money motivated another may find job satisfaction or creative opportunities are more powerful factors.
The employee is always right:
These employee motivation strategies involve improving levels of trust between the leadership of your company and staff.
1 : Find the right job for the right person
When people enjoy and are challenged by their work they become self-motivated.
2 : Empower employees
Trust employees to make their own decisions and make their own mistakes.
3 : Co-operation vs. Competition
Excessive competition destroys morale. When teams work towards a shared goal they become more motivated.
4 : Performance vs. "Presenteeism"
Do long hours necessarily equal quality work? Look at whether your organisation encourages a presentee culture rather than valuing performance and results.
5 : Involve employees in company development
Keep employees informed on new developments in the organisation and how their work impacts the company.
The employee must feel safe:
These employee motivation strategies involve improving levels of trust between the leadership of your company and staff. When staff feel secure and nurtured in their work environment they perform better. How many of the following can be found in your employee motivation strategy?
1. The 5:1 rule
Praise and recognise employees successes five times as much as you constructively criticise them.
2. Job security
Possibly the greatest single factor for a motivated workforce. How can you improve job security and fringe benefits?
3. Lead your staff
Enable managers to coach their teams and create opportunities for people who are keen to learn skills and grow within the organisation.
4. Create a comfortable working environment
Including relaxing the dress code where appropriate, developing areas for socialising, creative thinking, reading and giving employees quality spaces to work in (larger desks, quiet, natural lighting etc.)
5. Treat employees fairly
When people feel they are treated fairly they remain loyal to the company and motivated by their work. Perceived inequality of treatment leads to resentment, low moral and lack of self-motivation.
The power of acknowledgement:
These employee motivation strategies focus on how to praise, acknowledge and give positive feedback. It may feel uncomfortable at first, or even excessive, but positive reinforcement is a highly effective, inexpensive and empowering way to achieve employee motivation.
1. "How are you?"
Ask your staff how they are and listen to the answer. Ask them how a big event went, ask after their family, find out how their weekend was. And LISTEN to their reply!
2. Recognise their participation as well as results
Even a bad idea is better than no idea at all. Encourage your team to share their thoughts, potential solutions and concerns making it safe to make suggestions.
3. Stand up for your people
Part of your job as a leader is to be an advocate for your team. Instead of complaining about your team members, get their help in looking for lessons and moving forward.
4. Praise in public, correct in private
At first they may be embarrassed by the public recognition of their achievement…but they'll get over it and glow on the inside. Equally, never undermine in public. Save those conversations for a safe, confidential environment.
5. Praise is an end in itself
Some managers only praise as a prelude to criticism. Praise can stand alone. So instead of "I really liked your recent report but…" try "I really enjoyed reading your recent report. It was concise, accurate and well presented". FULL STOP!
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You may want to read some of our other free motivation articles:
Employee motivation in the workplace
Free employee motivation questionnaire
