Not everything is about money. People have other sound reasons for going to work and doing their jobs than earning a paycheck. To name a few, there’s self-fulfillment personal and career growth, social interaction, and satisfaction. Employers and managers know that employee satisfaction is crucial if you want to have productive team members.
There is a high regard for the importance of productivity in the workplace. The easiest way to boost productivity seems to be through incentives. However, employers should be happy to know that there are other things that employees appreciate. These are sometimes even more than money: work conditions, well-being, positive recognition, personal growth, sense of purpose, etc. Employee satisfaction and perception have a direct impact on a company’s success and there are several studies to prove it. Here are ways to motivate your team members and make them productive without sacrificing their happiness and sense of self-fulfillment.
Never use fear
There is a whole world of difference between being respected and being feared. Strive for respect. A good manager doesn’t motivate his team members to be productive by yelling what needs to be done and instilling fear. Yes, maybe employees will be forced to finish their jobs but only for the wrong reasons.
Do what you say
An impressive leader is the one who does what he said he will do. If you say something that you don’t intend to follow through, you lose credibility. Keep your team motivated by letting them know that they have a leader who honors his words and acts on his promises.
Show appreciation
Give credit where it is due. A study by the online career site Glassdoor revealed that 80% of employees are motivated to work harder when their bosses show appreciation. This number is twice as high compared to those who work harder because they fear losing their job or their boss is demanding. Not only does appreciation keeps employees motivated but, it also makes employees stay longer in a company.
Don’t slow them down
When you have to make a decision, do it as fast as you can, without of course sacrificing the quality of the decision. Growth and success largely depend on action and procrastinating will only slow the entire team down. Be decisive and influence your team to develop the same decision-making skills.
It’s okay to show emotions
Showing emotions doesn’t make a manager look weak. It only shows that you are human. Do not be a robot when talking or giving instructions to your team. It’s okay to laugh, smile, and have fun. Managers should also be more personable and accessible. Employees will not only be more comfortable, but they will also feel more confident about their suggestions and comments.
Give feedback
Give honest feedback regularly to let employees know where they stand. Be careful with the way you approach them, mind your tone and your words, never shame and avoid assigning blame. Keep in mind that employees react to negative comments by their bosses six times more strongly than positive ones according to one study by the University of Minnesota.
Encourage personal growth
Personal and career growth are crucial to keep employees motivated. This is especially true with millennials who are expected to take over the workforce in just a few years. The work demands of millennials are not limited to a hefty paycheck but also to flexibility and continuous learning. The career opportunities that millennials must not miss in today’s competitive work environment are vast and diverse and they desire growth and fulfillment every time.
About the author
Anna Rodriguez is a manager and a passionate writer. She also has a varied background in real estate brokerage, investing, online marketing, and social media management. She owns Homey Guide Blog. Follow her at @annrodriguez021
