As we head into 2023, it will be more important than ever to keep your team and employees happy. With the workforce becoming more and more competitive, it is essential to ensure that your team is motivated and productive. It’s no secret that workplace motivation is one of the most important aspects when managing a successful company. When team members are motivated, they are more productive and have a better work ethic.
If you need some help in this area, in this blog post we discuss what workplace motivation is, why it’s important, and its benefits for your company. We also share ideas and activities to motivate your team and employees in 2023. Let’s get started!
What is workplace motivation?
Workplace motivation refers to the level of interest in work that people have at their place of employment. Motivation can be defined as “the drive to achieve a goal” (Goleman). People who experience high levels of motivation are said to be intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation has been shown to lead to higher productivity and better performance.
It’s important to remember that not everyone is motivated by the same thing, and that each person has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some may care more about being noticed or having an impact than they do about financial reward. Learning what drives your team and employees will help you provide them with the best incentives to achieve company goals.
When talking specifically about your employees’ motivation, it’s important to focus both on extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. When a person is motivated to complete a task because they find it personally rewarding, we say that they are intrinsically motivated. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation occurs when an individual is prompted to take action by considerations outside of themselves, such as the promise of a reward or monetary gain.
While both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are important, research has shown that intrinsic motivation is more important for personal and professional long-term success. This is because people who are intrinsically motivated are more likely to be creative and innovative. Therefore, if you want your workers to be motivated in the long-term, it’s important to find ways to make their work more interesting and enjoyable.
Why is employee motivation important?
Employee motivation is essential for several reasons. First, motivated employees are more productive. They are also more likely to stay with your company and less likely to try to avoid their workload by doing things like calling in sick. Additionally, motivated employees tend to be better team players and have a positive attitude.
This attitude can be contagious, and before you know it, your whole team will be more productive and positive. Finally, motivated employees are more likely to go above and beyond their job duties. For example, they might come up with new and innovative ideas that can help your company grow.
All of these factors combined show why team member motivation is so important for the success of a business. If you want your company to thrive, it’s essential to find ways to keep your team motivated, which is where things like organizing fun activities can come in handy.
Benefits of motivation in the workplace
The benefits of having a motivated workforce include aspects like lower rates of absenteeism and staff turnover, improved relations between management and workers, better worker performance, and improved customer service. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits:
- Having reduced levels of absenteeism refers to the number of days an employee misses work due to illness or for any other cause. Employees who are motivated are more likely to be willing to work rather than calling in sick or taking time off.
- Low levels of employee turnover (also known as retention of workers) is of utmost importance to businesses, as employees who remain with a company for an extended period of time gain valuable knowledge and help keep the expenses of recruitment to a minimum. Plus, less training is necessary.
- Improved interactions between management and labor. Because of this, it’s possible that workers will be more willing to accept changes without raising objections and will be less likely to initiate legal or industrial action against their bosses as a result.
- Enhanced productivity of the workforce. When an employee is motivated, they will typically work harder, arrive on time, and concentrate intently on the tasks at hand. There is a possibility that levels of productivity may rise.
- Quality enhancements as well as a better customer service. When employees feel motivated and engaged, there is a greater likelihood that they will perform to a better standard. Those who work in industries that focus on providing service to others are more likely to be excited about their work and to give superior levels of customer service.
7 ideas and activities to motivate your team and employees in 2023
Don’t know where to get started when it comes to team building or motivating your team? Here are some fun ideas and activities to get you started:
Company-sponsored retreats
One of the best ideas to make your employees feel motivated and inspired is to arrange for a group of team members to go on a company-sponsored retreat. This can be an excellent bonding experience, and it can also help team members get to know each other better in a relaxed setting.
Outdoor team building activities
What’s not to love about team building activities as a motivation strategy? These can be a great way to get team members to bond with each other and have some fun at the same time. There are different outdoor activities you can do, from hiking and camping to team sports or even just a picnic in the park. This is a great way to promote team bonding and to get everyone away from their desks for a while. Some of the best team building activities can also inspire your team and foster a healthy work environment.
Organize a team building event
Voluntary work
Another excellent way to motivate your team is to encourage them to do some volunteer work together. This can be a great team building exercise, and it’s also a way to give back to the community. How can you promote voluntary work from your company? You can start by teaming up with a local charity or non-profit organization and arranging for a group of employees to volunteer together. This is a great way to build team morale, to get your employees working on common goals and to make a difference in your community.
Office Olympics
The office Olympics are a great way to get team members to bond with each other and have some friendly competition. You can start by dividing your team into groups and then holding a series of different events’ throughout the day. Some of the most popular office Olympic events include the paper airplane throwing contest, the stapler stacking race, and the Post-it stick note relay. This might sound silly, but if you work alongside your team leaders, it can be one of the best ways to promote a healthy work environment.
Why should you encourage workers to have fun in the office?
Team lunches
Another great way to promote team bonding is to have team lunches on a regular basis. This is a great way for team members to get to know each other better and to bond over common interests. It’s a great idea if you don’t have a lot of time to organize anything more complex, as you can have team lunches in the office or go out to a nearby restaurant. Either way, team lunches are a great way to promote team bonding and to improve communication among team members.
Online team building activities
Not everyone is comfortable with in-person team building activities, so why not try some online team building activities instead? There are many different games and activities you can do online, from virtual scavenger hunts to team trivia quizzes. This is a great way to get team members to bond with each other without having to leave the comfort of their homes.
Social events
Organizing social events for your team is another great way to promote bonding and motivation among your employees. For example, you can organize a team-building weekend, a group trip to the movies, or even just a happy hour once in a while. This is a great way to get team members to interact with each other on a personal level and to build relationships that will last long after the event is over.
Team building services
Do you believe that the morale of your team could use a boost? Kronos Experience is dedicated to finding the ideal way for your team to have some time away from the workplace while having fun and getting to know each other. We have a number of different team building activities that can help your employees enhance their communication skills, their ability to solve problems, and their willingness to cooperate.Our activities can be modified to accommodate any company’s size or financial constraints. Your employees have the choice of participating in the activity in person or going the virtual route. No matter what you decide to do, you can rest assured that everyone on your team will have a nice time and discover something interesting about one another. Get in touch with us to get additional details and to schedule an appointment! We will assist you in identifying the best activity for your group.