Top tips for motivating your staff
Discover how to boost staff engagement and productivity through simple motivational techniques.
Employee motivation is key to the success of any company. If your staff dread coming into work, feel bored, uninspired, or micromanaged, it will negatively impact your company’s productivity and retention.
In a study of over 4,000 candidates and their employees, we discovered that 1 in 4 employers struggle to keep their staff engaged. But boosting employee engagement doesn’t have to be hard, and when you know how, you will reap the rewards.
Employees who feel motivated produce better work, feel inspired and fulfilled in their roles and report higher job satisfaction. Motivated team members are also more likely to stay in the company and contribute to a positive work culture that will attract top talent and spread throughout the broader team.
Follow the steps below for maximising motivation in your staff.
1. Celebrate success
Take time to praise your team’s good work. Often, managers can be so focused on problem-solving, a job well done can go unacknowledged. Something as small as a thank-you email can be a real boost. Your staff will feel like their work matters, and they are a valued team member.
2. Constructive feedback
Give your team the support and guidance they need to grow and develop. If a piece of work does not meet expectations, speak to them one-to-one. Never deliver feedback in front of others. Avoid vague instructions such as, “take another look” which can lead to confusion and uncertainty. Take the time to highlight specific action items and suggestions for improvement.
3. Reward hard work
When your staff feel as though their hard work is going unnoticed, they can quickly start to feel unappreciated. Show that their efforts are recognised with rewards — bonuses, early finishes, extra days off or even a team lunch, are all ways to show appreciation.
4. Team building
If your team is not connected or united in their efforts, it can lead to feelings of hostility and resentment. Team-work expert, J. Richard Hackman, has studied effective team dynamics for decades. He found the most important factor in creating a strong team was “enabling conditions,” i.e. a supportive environment, rather than complementary personalities and attitudes.[1]
This is great news for employers, as it means you can foster collaboration and support within teams, no matter how different the personalities involved. From training and away days to problem-solving activities, there are plenty of team-building methods you can utilise to create a team dynamic which is supportive, trusting and collaborative.
5. Challenging work
A steady flow of the same type of work might seem like an ideal situation, but when employees feel unchallenged, there is a risk they will look for a fresh challenge elsewhere. Don’t underestimate the risk of boredom: in a study by The O.C. Tanner Institute, 40% of UK workers reported feeling bored at work.
Prevent your staff becoming bored by recognising the skillsets in your team and the areas where different employees thrive. Bring team members into projects that reflect their career aspirations. Not only will they feel excited by the opportunity, but they will also know you value their contribution.
6. Be conscious of workload
It can be tempting to put your most capable staff on every project but pay close attention to your team’s workload. Overworking your staff risks stress and burnout, while a reduced workload can make them feel unappreciated and forgotten. Be fair in the division of tasks, and keep an eye out for any indicators of too much work, such as regular overtime, skipping breaks or stress and anxiety.
7. Invite employee feedback
Make sure your employees feel they can approach you by taking time to listen to their ideas and challenges. Be mindful that sometimes quieter team members might be reluctant to speak up, so connect with them directly to show you value their opinions. Feedback surveys are a useful way to identify any common challenges within your team and help you continuously improve as a leader.
8. Promote work-life balance
Don’t expect or encourage your staff to work through their lunch breaks or never leave the office on time. A culture of presenteeism is harmful to motivation and productivity and can become common if staff are working from home. Encourage employees to get away from their desks and into the fresh air at least once a day. The change of scene will enable them to return to their work with renewed vigour and a fresh perspective. If an employee is working remotely, why not have a “walk and talk” style meeting over the phone rather than video call?
9. Review salaries
Money is not the only motivating factor in the workplace, but it does play a significant role. Commit to regular salary reviews, perhaps every six months, or annually. There is nothing more demotivating for a longstanding team member than to see a job advert for a same-level role offering a higher salary.
10. Keep meetings to a minimum
Too many meetings mean your staff’s workflow is constantly interrupted. When scheduling a meeting, be considerate. Take time to think about who needs to attend rather than inviting the whole time by default. Another solution is to make attendance at some meetings optional, so if deadlines are looming, your employees don’t feel pressured to attend.
During meetings, make sure you set a clear objective and communicate this to all attendees in advance. Set an agenda if you can and aim to keep it as brief as possible — the longer a meeting draws on, the less productive the outcome.