It’s totally normal for employees to face dips in motivation, but it becomes a problem when your colleagues are consistently disengaged. That’s why we have written some great tips to help keep you and your team motivated, day in and day out.
So, here are 11 ways to keep yourself and your employees motivated.
One of the most important factors that contribute to employee motivation is how often their hard work is recognized. 70% of employees say that motivation and morale would improve massively with increased recognition from managers. After all, if an employee puts a lot of effort into a project to produce exceptional results but their hard work isn’t recognized, why would they continue to be a high-performing employee?
Employee recognition shouldn’t just an annual bonus at the end of the year—it should be meaningfully and frequently given.
Give Your Team Autonomy
Human beings value autonomy. We all want to feel in control of our time and energy, and a lack of agency is a surefire way to torpedo your team’s motivation. Granting autonomy also demonstrates that you trust your team, which will go a long way towards forming the emotional bond between employer and employee that you see at highly engaged companies. In the long run, this builds more self-sufficient teams because they create their own process and I learn how to work with them and for them.”
Set small, measurable goals
It can be really demoralizing to be stuck in a rut, which is why seeing how you’ve made visible progress feels so good. It’s also a clear indicator that our work is making a difference. Setting clear, achievable goals provides a real boost of motivation each time one is conquered and keeps team on the right track. You can magnify these effects by taking the next step and celebrating those achievements.
Celebrate results
It is crucial to let everyone know exactly how (and how much) much each of their contributions move the organization forward. Applaud employee success and when you do, tie them to the greater picture.
Offer a Clear Path for Advancement
Nothing saps an employee’s motivation like the feeling that they are stuck in a dead-end job. Solve this by delineating a path forward in your employee’s career with a learning and development program, even if it’s not at your company!
Some employers have a tough time committing to a growth plan that sees employees leaving their ranks. But in today’s economy, it’s essential to value “graduation” over retention. That’s because the growth of your business depends on the growth of the individuals at your company, so it’s inevitable that people will grow out of their roles. Sometimes this means they move on to different companies. If that happens, don’t worry. Its normal.
Express Gratitude
Note that gratitude is different than recognition. While recognition is about acknowledging specific individuals and their work product, gratitude extends much further. It involves being thankful for what we have in life – things like health, family, even challenges – rather than complaining over the things we don’t.
Take regular breaks
Most times, stepping back and taking a moment to recalibrate isn’t just helpful in staying motivated, it’s also important to your health. Sitting all day isn’t good for you, and neither is working nonstop. Taking a short break every hour or two can have a positive effect on both your mind and body, especially for remote workers. Don’t forget to get up from your desk and grab some fresh air. Get up, stretch your legs, rest your eyes—and come back to work with a refreshed mind and body.
Practice Transparency
A lack of transparency can erode the trust and credibility that you’ve worked so hard to maintain at your company. Get ahead of this by enacting a policy of radical transparency.
The last thing you want is for your employees to misinterpret your fear of leaking critical info with a lack of trust. Plus, leaving your employees in the dark creates a space for them to think the worst.
See and share the big picture
You can help boost motivation in the workplace by ensuring your team understands how each of their efforts impacts the organization, customers, and the community. Completing a task usually provides a small sense of accomplishment, but knowing how that work helped others is the real antidote to disengagement.
Provide a sense of security in the workplace
Psychological theory suggests that there is a hierarchy of basic needs that people require before they can be motivated to reach their full potential. Security falls right beneath physiological needs like food and water. Once employees feel secure, they’re more likely to be motivated to reach, and further stretch their potential.
Change surroundings
Sometimes a small shift of scenery can provide a big shift in motivation. If it’s possible, think about how the environment you and your team work in impacts motivation. If there aren’t many sources of natural light coming in, it might be valuable to step outside together from time to time. Even a few moments in different surroundings can provide a new perspective, and often a noticeable boost in motivation. Consider taking your team on an offsite or retreat, and notice how their spirits could lighten after a day working outside of the office.
In conclusion, don’t forget to have fun. While there’s no one-size-fits-all way on how to motivate your employees, take some of the ideas mentioned here and see how they can benefit your organization.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
