Keeping Employees Motivated as a Prerequisite of Success

There is hardly any doubt today as to the fact that keeping your employees satisfied, eager and motivated is one of the best ways to build a successful business and keep it competitive. There is, however, one problem: how exactly one keeps employees motivated? Let’s try to think of a couple of ways.

1.      Praise and Appreciation

Surprisingly, when asked what makes them feel depressed and unmotivated at work, most people don’t mention unpleasant work environment, long hours and low pay. A staggering amount of respondents say that they just feel under appreciated and think that higher-ups take their successes for granted. In that respect they resemble children who are always looking for approval of their parents, even if it doesn’t bring them any material benefits. However, an employer shouldn’t wonder about the weirdness of human nature but use this quality to increase the workers’ sense of self-worth and, therefore, efficiency – either by praising them outright or establishing an automatic system that would keep track of their successes. For example, one of such systems, Hoopla features screens that keep all employees up to date with their results in real time, shows leader boards and pays particular attention to results of individual workers.

2.      Taking Interest

Again, it is surprising how much employees tend to be influenced by the fact that their manager pays genuine attention to them, the way their career goes, how they balance their personal life and work and so on. A tiny gesture of interest and attention can go a long way in establishing trust-based relations between you and your employees, building up an image of a benevolent boss and improving their overall level of motivation.

3.      Rewards and Prizes

However, don’t think that you can do without traditional reward systems. Some people may be happy just to hear praise from their boss; more cynical will be annoyed unless praise isn’t accompanied with some sweet material gain. You should make sure the system of rewards and prizes you’ve built is a clearly defined and logical one, so that your employees know for sure what they are going to get if they achieve certain results.

4.      Support Their Ideas

Well, at least if they are worth it. When an employee offers a valuable idea, it should be noted – not in the sense that this suggestion is to be taken for granted, however. Its originator should be praised – this way you will increase the likelihood that when another employee comes up with a brilliant idea he isn’t going to keep it to himself but share it with the team.

5.      Set an Example

The best way to persuade somebody to do their best is to do your own best. When your employees see that you don’t spare any effort to reach the goal in question, they will be more likely to do so themselves, even without nudging.

Putting your best effort into something isn’t hard – it doesn’t depend on anybody but you. Making somebody else put their best effort is much harder – but with right method and right mindset you are certain to succeed.