In my last article I focused on putting elements in place to ensure the right candidates come and work for your company, and once you get them over the door the real fun starts. Any business owner knows that staff enthusiasm is crucial to individual performance, group productivity, and maintaining a satisfying office culture. So how do you do it? For some inspiration on how to motivate those who work for you, I have put together some techniques which could be adopted and adapted to suit your business.
Set a Good Example
Always keep in mind that attitude is contagious. Try and stay positive in front of employees as much as possible. Include members of the team when making key decisions by listening to their ideas and valuing their opinions to make them realise they are part of the process and that their voices matter.
Make Employees feel they are doing Something Meaningful
Following on from the first point, one of the best ways to motivate employees is to make them feel that they are doing something meaningful. Involving team members in the process of forming company goals will encourage them to accomplish objectives and help them feel that they are doing something meaningful.
Have and Show Trust in the Team
Generally speaking, most people have relatively fragile self-esteem. This is no different for employees. Team members need to believe that their employer trusts them to do their job. A manager can’t just say they have faith; they need to let employees take control of challenging tasks to show they have confidence in their capability.
Give Clear Job Descriptions and Accountability
It is important to ensure that every employee has a clear job description and accountability for tasks they are assigned to. Don’t just focus on responsibilities, but also the expected results so each employee knows what is required of them.
Communicate and Share Information
Managers should always share new information, such as how the business is progressing to achieving goals. This enables employees to see how their work is enabling the company to achieve KPIs. This is also linked to sharing ongoing performance feedback. If things aren't going to plan, it’s important not to blame, but to ask how processes could be improved in the future.
Allow Employees to Share in the Company's Success
Employee performance, productivity, and motivation can all be linked to how devoted a worker feels to their company. Firstly, a salary should be paid that employees believe is fair. Secondly, bonuses and/or commission should be considered when possible. This should encourage employees to achieve goals that have been previously defined.
Encourage Teamwork
The majority of companies have to complete projects which require input from several members of the workplace. Employees should be encouraged to work as a team from the offset, rather than giving individuals separate tasks to complete the project as a whole. The best way to do this is by setting up an initial meeting between the employees involved and referring to them as a team before giving them the trust and faith to get on with the task at hand.
Don’t Micromanage
No-one likes to be micromanaged, least of all capable employees. Managers need to know the difference between checking in on employees and checking up on them. There is no point in managers dictating how a task should be completed, as this completely defeats the purpose of having employees to do the work, as well as grow and gain new skills through the process.
Create Fair Company Policies
Developing reasonable company policies that effectively support company goals will further motivate employees. For example, managers can’t expect staff members to take personal time to attend a work conference if they want to promote continuous learning. Instead, ensuring policies and practices encourage employee feedback, collaboration and decision-making etc. will ensure employees are on board with company values.
Modify Approaches in Management
The best leaders adapt their management approach to each employee. It’s important to consider each team member and determine the best way to lead them as some employees prefer hand holding and training, whereas others may require less.
Take on Fun Pro Bono Projects
At some points during the year, business may be slow, or depending on the company, projects may possibly be drawn out affairs. Employee enthusiasm and creativity can be kept challenged through volunteer or charity projects, which is also a perfect way to build company case studies.
It’s important to take a look at your business model and see which tips suit to keep your employees motivated. Have you found any other methods that work for continuing enthusiasm? As with any practices put in place, it will be an ongoing process but the company, and team members, will definitely benefit in the long run.
The contents of this article are necessarily expressed in broad terms and limited to general information rather than detailed analyses or legal advice. Specialist professional advice should always be obtained to address legal and other issues arising in specific contexts.
Set a Good Example
Always keep in mind that attitude is contagious. Try and stay positive in front of employees as much as possible. Include members of the team when making key decisions by listening to their ideas and valuing their opinions to make them realise they are part of the process and that their voices matter.
Make Employees feel they are doing Something Meaningful
Following on from the first point, one of the best ways to motivate employees is to make them feel that they are doing something meaningful. Involving team members in the process of forming company goals will encourage them to accomplish objectives and help them feel that they are doing something meaningful.
Have and Show Trust in the Team
Generally speaking, most people have relatively fragile self-esteem. This is no different for employees. Team members need to believe that their employer trusts them to do their job. A manager can’t just say they have faith; they need to let employees take control of challenging tasks to show they have confidence in their capability.
Give Clear Job Descriptions and Accountability
It is important to ensure that every employee has a clear job description and accountability for tasks they are assigned to. Don’t just focus on responsibilities, but also the expected results so each employee knows what is required of them.
Communicate and Share Information
Managers should always share new information, such as how the business is progressing to achieving goals. This enables employees to see how their work is enabling the company to achieve KPIs. This is also linked to sharing ongoing performance feedback. If things aren't going to plan, it’s important not to blame, but to ask how processes could be improved in the future.
Allow Employees to Share in the Company's Success
Employee performance, productivity, and motivation can all be linked to how devoted a worker feels to their company. Firstly, a salary should be paid that employees believe is fair. Secondly, bonuses and/or commission should be considered when possible. This should encourage employees to achieve goals that have been previously defined.
Encourage Teamwork
The majority of companies have to complete projects which require input from several members of the workplace. Employees should be encouraged to work as a team from the offset, rather than giving individuals separate tasks to complete the project as a whole. The best way to do this is by setting up an initial meeting between the employees involved and referring to them as a team before giving them the trust and faith to get on with the task at hand.
Don’t Micromanage
No-one likes to be micromanaged, least of all capable employees. Managers need to know the difference between checking in on employees and checking up on them. There is no point in managers dictating how a task should be completed, as this completely defeats the purpose of having employees to do the work, as well as grow and gain new skills through the process.
Create Fair Company Policies
Developing reasonable company policies that effectively support company goals will further motivate employees. For example, managers can’t expect staff members to take personal time to attend a work conference if they want to promote continuous learning. Instead, ensuring policies and practices encourage employee feedback, collaboration and decision-making etc. will ensure employees are on board with company values.
Modify Approaches in Management
The best leaders adapt their management approach to each employee. It’s important to consider each team member and determine the best way to lead them as some employees prefer hand holding and training, whereas others may require less.
Take on Fun Pro Bono Projects
At some points during the year, business may be slow, or depending on the company, projects may possibly be drawn out affairs. Employee enthusiasm and creativity can be kept challenged through volunteer or charity projects, which is also a perfect way to build company case studies.
It’s important to take a look at your business model and see which tips suit to keep your employees motivated. Have you found any other methods that work for continuing enthusiasm? As with any practices put in place, it will be an ongoing process but the company, and team members, will definitely benefit in the long run.
The contents of this article are necessarily expressed in broad terms and limited to general information rather than detailed analyses or legal advice. Specialist professional advice should always be obtained to address legal and other issues arising in specific contexts.
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