Employee motivation has become a hot topic in recent years due to its impact on employee productivity, retention, and performance. Managers and leaders often wonder about the role that leadership can play in increasing motivation levels. To what extent, they ask, does motivation come from within and to what extent can be triggered through visionary leadership practices? These are some of the questions we examine in this article.
Why is team motivation important in the workplace?
Employee morale and motivation are extremely powerful tools for achieving success. They promote productivity and help ensure that things get done. When people are motivated, they work harder and smarter. Without motivation employees may not perform at their best or even show up for work.
Benefits of motivation in the workplace
Motivation plays a crucial role in employee performance. Motivated workers are more productive and have better relationships with managers. They are also less likely to engage in workplace disputes. In addition, motivated workers tend to stay longer in the organization, and therefore reduce turnover costs.
Apart from the obvious increase in productivity, there are many other benefits that arise from motivated employees:
- Worker retention: Motivated employees feel like they are a part of something so they remain in the company for longer.
- Improved manager-employee relationships: Motivated employees are less likely to challenge management decisions or bring up legal or labor issues.
- Improved work quality: Motivated employees are more likely to perform well and produce high-quality work.
10 ways to motivate your team and employees at work
Lead by example
Leading by example is one of the most effective ways of motivating people. Research suggests that when leaders behave in a manner that is consistent with what they believe to be true about themselves, others tend to follow suit. People look up to those who are honest, trustworthy, and fair. Employees also admire those who show initiative and go above and beyond expectations. In short, people want to emulate those who present good character traits. When you lead by example, you set a standard for the rest of the organization to follow.
A guide to recruit, manage, and motivate a strong team
Be positive
Being positive and having an optimistic outlook, even when times are tough, can inspire your employees to adopt the same attitude. When you exude optimism, your team will see that it’s not the end of the world if things go wrong, and learn to focus on the bigger picture. Your positivity will also encourage them to bring out their best efforts, and ensure that everyone feels like they’re contributing something worthwhile. In addition to providing encouragement, optimism can also help you motivate your team. By showing that you recognize and value people’s strengths and talents, you’ll build morale and motivation, and boost productivity.
Create a healthy work environment
Our environment has a significant impact on our productivity, contentment, and creativity. Stress and fatigue often affect performance which is why creating a positive work environment is key to achieving personal and team goals. Employees who feel valued, supported, and appreciated at work are more likely to generate high levels of performance and motivation.
One of the ways in which you can create a healthy work environment is by giving workers opportunities to take part in team activities. These can include sports clubs, yoga sessions, fitness classes, and even volunteering opportunities. Not only does this give employees something to look forward to, but it also helps them bond and develop strong relationships.
Set goals
It’s important to set clear, measurable goals to help your team understand what they need to accomplish. It allows your team members to focus on the job at hand, while keeping everything moving forward. It also keeps your team motivated and engaged at all times. In order to achieve this, it’s important to communicate your common goals clearly and consistently.
Encourage teamwork
Encouraging teamwork helps employees feel more connected to the organization. Teamwork is important because it makes working together easier. People are happier when they know that there’s someone they can consult about problems and ideas and that there’s always someone nearby to whom they can turn for support and encouragement. When you encourage teamwork, you make sure everyone feels like he or she belongs, which nurtures motivation.
Organize team-building events
Organizing team-building events goes a long way towards increasing overall motivation levels in the workplace. What’s more, they give your employees a chance to bond and get to know each other on a personal level, outside of work. Such camaraderie can go a long way towards promoting workplace harmony and team spirit. In turn, this can boost team morale, improve communication amongst team members, and create an all-around positive environment.
Organize a team-building event
Encourage personal growth
Those with a growth mindset end up achieving their career goals and facilitating their professional development simply because they enjoy learning. They don’t see challenges as threats. Rather, they see opportunities to acquire new knowledge. This helps them overcome obstacles and further their professional development. You can encourage personal growth in your team by organizing workshops or training sessions as well as by sending invitations to networking events.
Give recognition
The benefits of praising people go beyond making them feel appreciated. Positive feedback makes them want to keep doing better. After all, people like to know that their good work has been noticed. They enjoy hearing words of appreciation. Research shows that an appreciative environment creates a sense of belonging among employees. When people feel valued, they’re motivated to put in their best effort because they believe that their contributions matter.
Provide incentives
A good incentive program motivates people to perform better. Conversely, a poor incentive program demotivates people and makes them lose interest. To motivate employees, it’s essential for leaders to set clear goals and provide rewards for achieving these goals. Rewards can motivate employees to put in that extra effort towards producing quality work and meeting deadlines.
Promote a work-life balance
If you’re looking to motivate your workforce, consider offering remote work opportunities. A recent survey conducted by FlexJobs found that a majority of the respondents preferred remote work. The survey also found that offering remote work was likely to improve employee retention. 57% of respondents said that they’d prefer to work for a company where they can telecommute, compared to just 39% who stated their preference for an employer, who offered limited remote work policies.
Finally, promoting flexibility and remote work can help boost morale and increase productivity. In the FlexJobs’ survey, 87% of respondents said that allowing employees to work remotely would increase their commitment to their jobs, while 83% said that they believed it would lead to increased creativity.
Team building services
Companies such as Kronos have taken the concept of team building to new, innovative heights. We provide a turnkey solution for your team-building needs and organize both in-person and virtual team-building activities. Before the big day, we create a web page dedicated to your event which includes a detailed description as well as a promotional video of the experience to get your team excited.
Your employees are given access to four unique experiences: