Every company wants their employees to be motivated, happy, and committed to their work. It may seem like a long shot, but it’s not as hard as you think to find ways to inspire your team. It just requires a plan and a commitment. A culture of motivation starts at the top and is successful only when infused throughout the organisation and daily operations. Here are some creative and helpful tips to help you motivate your colleagues and team members.
Make the work meaningful. Humans feel more driven and connected when there is value in the work they do. Consider Bombas, a New York City-based athletic sock company that gives each new employee 10 pairs of socks, which the staff are then required to share with a person in need. Employees are taught from day one that the company values a larger purpose. Sometimes there is a direct correlation between the work and the meaning. For instance, a construction company can arrange to donate staff time and resources to build new play equipment for a local park. Another option is to survey staff about causes they find important then organise company-wide support and participation in local walks, fundraisers, and philanthropic efforts that your employees value, whether or not the organisation relates to the company product.
Recognise and reward regularly. This is not rocket science. People love to be given credit and praised for their hard work and contributions. San Francisco-based cloud phone system supplier, Dialpad sets the bar. Dialpad encourages employees to nominate a deserving co-worker for its “See the World” programme each quarter where the winner gets an all-expenses-paid trip to the location of their choosing! But you do not have to be that grand to reward your staff appropriately. Set aside five minutes at each meeting for peer-to-peer recognition and definitely have an employee of the month award. Empower managers to regularly give out “on the spot” gift cards when staff members do something praiseworthy. Have an incentive plan for staff who reach goals and act in accordance with company values. Celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries. Create a staff spotlight section on the wall or in a newsletter to highlight special achievements or efforts.
Communicate often. Help employees feel valuable and they will feel motivated. Listen to their ideas and encourage feedback and suggestions. Make it okay for staff to tell you when things are not working or when they have an idea for improvement. Also provide employees with feedback about what they are excelling at and also which areas they can improve on in order to increase their future success. Inform employees about their impact on the business, company goals, and performance measures. Keep your staff in the know about the company’s direction and any upcoming changes. No one likes surprises, especially when they are unwelcome. Last minute bad news will certainly siphon enthusiasm from even your best staff.
Create connection. Life is all about connection and relationships. Positive connections can offset waning motivation when stress levels rise and changes abound. Coordinate team activities like casual outdoor sports games or trivia nights. Sponsor company gatherings and social activities outside of the workplace. Include options for staff to bring families and loved ones to make time to get to know the people your staff care about. When staff feel valued as individuals, their sense of connection and loyalty to the company will rise.
Invest in their future. Feeling motivated is the opposite of feeling stuck. Employers who invest in their staff not only foster motivation, but also loyalty. Help your staff know that you see their potential for growth within the company. Many progressive employers now offer career coaching and internal mentorship programmes to help create a path to success from the start. Many companies are also offering various ways to demonstrate their investment in their employees through firm-sponsored lunchtime learning sessions, ongoing training opportunities, health and wellness programmes focussed on work life balance, and tuition reimbursement plans. Investment does not have to cost the company money either. Employers can also connect staff with interdepartmental projects and challenges, as well as a junior to senior role mentorship programme to provide additional learning opportunities for staff to stretch their existing talents and skillsets.
As an employer, your people are your greatest asset so put some thought into the motivation strategies that come most naturally to you and create a plan. If you struggle in this area, hire someone who excels. It’s that important if you want to ensure that your workers are the happiest they can be.
