Today, everyone talks about the millennials, Gen X and Y so on but the fundamental always stay the same and remains a mystery to unwind. One of the key challenges mangers face these days is how to motivate employees and keep them optimistic. On a survey that revealed the top 7 important aspects for employee satisfaction, work environment/ taking care of the employees topped the chart followed by Salary/incentives. So the point to be taken here is that not only money but work environment plays a huge role in employee motivation. The most significant factor here is that manager controls the key environmental factors necessary to motivate the employees. The following are 10 easy ways to motivate your team in creating a work environment and organizational culture that fosters employee motivation and engagement.
1. Connect with your Team.
- Be Visible: Be available, approachable, and visible. If leaders spend all of their time in their offices, how can they know what are employee concerns, the environment quality they receive? Effective leaders make time or even schedule time to walk through the facility, engaging with the employee. It is not about the need to “check on employees,” but rather a genuine desire to interact with them in order to understand that all are receiving the attention and consideration that they deserve.
- Know your employees: Managers need to know their employees on a personalized level to feel valued and indispensable for the organization. Even the best of salaries and facilities would not help you retain your employees, if you do not appreciate and acknowledge their hard work. You need to know your employees’ well – their capabilities, skill sets, expertise and also their weak spots, career goals, growth plans and so on. Find out what motivates them and what makes them unhappy.
- Create a friendly environment:
- Give positive reinforcement
- Show gratitude
- Spread happiness
- Motivate others
- Celebrate wins
- Encourage positive thinking
- Change the way you respond
- Encourage fun
- Share your gratitude
- Engage in random acts of kindness
2. Show that you sincerely care about their well-being (If you treat people right they will treat you right 90 % of the time.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt)
- Be genuinely sympathetic.
- Send a card or flowers when sick.
- To attend the event of your employee.
3. Be Fair and Neutral.
- Avoid office politics and favouritism.
- Don’t hold personal grudges, don’t send angry e-mails, swear, lose your temper or ignore your staff, especially in front of other employees.
- Give constructive feedback rather than criticize.
- Treat everyone with respect.
4.Advocate for your staff
Don’t be the judge, jury and executioner. When your people are facing difficult challenges and morale is sinking, be the ultimate leader and take the bullet for your team.
5.Employee Empowerment (Managers light a fire under people; Leaders light a fire in people.” – Management Consultant Kathy Austin)
Encourage your workers to come up with ideas. Give them responsibility. Let them lead a project. Delegate and assign tasks. Recognize the different type of employees.
6.Open and Honest two way Communication.
Keep employees informed. Don’t let them have to hear of upcoming changes through the grapevine. Have an open door policy where you can be seen as approachable to your subordinates.
7.Champion Team Building Activities.
Encourage a family atmosphere at work. Promote a sense of togetherness and belonging.
8.Reward and Recognition– Offer incentives.
Always reward staff for good work, and not only top performers include those who are improving or doing their best. Additionally, don’t just wait for this occasion, you can always recognize employees by communicating to them the great job they are doing.
9. Training
One of the top reasons employees leave a company is the lack of development opportunities. Acknowledge and encourage strengths, recognize the different skills they possess and recommend training for them.
10.Employee Development (Great leaders don’t blame the tools they are given. They work to sharpen them.” – Simon Sinek).
Take an interest in their progression. Wherever possible be flexible. Work with them for a suitable arrangement. Have ways they can work back the hours.
Taking Action:
When you get to the root of the problem try to make changes. It may be a system that cannot be changed, well try to find ways to work around it. Let employees see that you are really intent on improving their work environment. You may not please everyone but in the end you will gain their respect.
