As an employee, you must have had days when you felt eager to get things done, and it gave you a certain level of satisfaction when you checked off everything on your to-do list. Other days you must have felt like being anywhere but at work. These feelings are completely normal as you can’t expect the employees to be overly driven at all times. However, if the employees are consistently disengaged and are underperforming, it is a problem, which can be detrimental to the overall performance of an organization.
For every supervisor, manager, and team leader, one of the most important considerations is employee motivation. The key is to get your employees to feel a strong connection with the company, its vision, mission, and its goals. In this article, we’ll shed some light on some ways the managers and team leaders can motivate the employees and increase their productivity.
- Recognize their work
This is one of the most important factors that contribute to employee motivation. As per a survey, around three fourth of all employees say that their morale and motivation would increase significantly if their hard work is recognized by the managers and team leads. Remember that employee recognition is not limited to monetary compensation only, such as annual bonuses. It can be verbal appreciation in front of the other employees in a meeting or an organization-wide email, thanking the hard-working employees for all their determination.
- Create a pleasant work environment
Make the workplace a happy and productive place for the employees. Find ways to maintain a positive vibe and good energy. Have structured social interactions with fellow employees, keep a positive attitude, encourage healthy competition, and welcome breaks in routine.
Besides the attitude and culture of the workplace, the physical environment also plays a significant role in employee motivation. Havingcomfortable workstations, good lighting, and walls painted with cheerful colors are also necessary for a pleasant work environment.
- Equip the workplace with the right tools and technology
A slow-running laptop or a lagging internet connection can be frustrating, especially when you have a lot of work to do. The employees end up getting frustrated and stressed out as they won’t be able to meet the deadlines in time if the things they need to complete the work are not functioning properly. Invest in the right equipment like high-tech laptops or PCs and a high speed and a reliable internet connection like the one offered by Hughesnet Plans.
- Encourage employee input
More often than not, managers tend to ignore the power of including the employees in the decision-making process. Listening to employee input should be highlighted as a key skill for increasing productivity and employee engagement. Every employee has varying opinions about how the workplace can be improved and if you as a leader regularly seek the input of said employees, you will not only be keeping them engaged and motivated but would also get ideas for optimizing the workplace to increase productivity.
- Provide growth opportunities
Employees tend to be more loyal to companies that offer them growth opportunities and promote their human capital. By trusting them with some additional responsibilities and taking the time to teach them a thing or two, helps keep the employees motivated and engaged. Organizations that make it a point to promote from within are able to maintain a level of loyalty among the employees.
Have you ever heard an employee say, “I love how my boss micromanages me at all times”? No, right? Every employee likes to be given a certain level of autonomy at work. We like to be in control of our time and effort. Lack of self-rule can for sure destroy your team’s motivation. Giving autonomy will motivate employees not just because they’ll be able to control their schedule but also it’ll demonstrate that you trust your team.
- Give the employees autonomy
Despite the benefits, many managers are hesitant towards giving employees autonomy. They are concerned that it may create a lax in the work environment and the employees would end up taking advantage. It is important to find a balance between how much freedom you should allow and what level of control you should maintain.
Wrapping Up
It is vital for a manager or a team leader to know how to keep the employees motivated and productive. It entails understanding the behaviors of the employees, focusing on the goals, and ultimately driving the organization towards success. Managers and HR officials who focus on motivating employees will benefit from committed and driven people who know how to contribute to organizational goals and make them successful.