Motivated employees can truly make all the difference. It is important for employers and managers to know what exactly their team needs, what their concerns are and what drives them forward in order to make more productive team members. No two employees are the same and good leaders know how to deal with every kind of personality, insecurity, and ego. Be more personable in motivating your team and strike a balance between achieving company targets and keeping employees happy.
You could read Part 1 of this article before reading Part 2.
Sense of accountability
It’s accountability that keeps everyone on their toes. Giving your team something to be accountable for makes them feel like they are invested in the company. If managers encourage team members to take responsibility, employees become more willing to navigate potential obstacles and they feel the importance of getting things done.
Rewards are important
Rewards and incentives put a value on achievement. They energize progress by making employees realize that they have to earn it. If you are working with teams, having a team reward system is encouraged. This is a way to create team motivation by reinforcing “team goals.” This is also a great way to demonstrate that teams win and lose together.
Surprise with treats
There are a lot of inexpensive ways to keep employees motivated and make your team more productive, happy, and engaged. One great idea is surprising them with lunches or snacks. One study showed that 46% of employees feel appreciated with unexpected treats from leaders or managers. Company-sponsored activities and events are also preferred by many because they provoke productive motivation.
Reiterate purpose
Shared goals and common objectives keep a company on track. Always assure your team that all their hard work is contributing to the company’s goals and purpose. Constantly reminding your employees why your company started out in the first place keeps them focused and on target.
You are no Big Brother
It is okay to stay plugged in with what’s happening with your team but as a manager, you should also know how to trust that they are doing their jobs well. Among the tips on building on a team’s productivity is to resist the urge to constantly look over someone’s shoulder all the time. Resist the urge to micromanage. Remember that freedom can unlock creativity and productivity – motivated employees are more productive!
Keep everyone involved
Encourage your team to get involved and stay in the loop. A team that feels they are a part of something bigger than themselves is inclined to find more meaning in their work. Employees are inspired and motivated when they are involved with the plans of the company, making them feel part of growth and success.
Responsibility to build
One way to add value to the work that teams do is by giving them responsibility and room to grow. Switch Communications CEO and Founder Craig Walker suggest that managers should not “overbuild” when building a team. Give them work to do and opportunities to push themselves more.
Keep them happy
An article from the Harvard Business Review stated that the level of happiness has a profound impact on the creativity and productivity of workers. When employees are unhappy, they don’t show up consistently and produce less quality work as revealed in a recent well-being index. This also means losses for the company. Other than rewards and benefits, employees need to nourish personal relationships in social work and find meaning in the work that they do.
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
