Creating loyal, impassioned employees is not an easy thing to accomplish, but once you establish happiness in the workplace, you achieve the holy grail of employee retention and productivity. When you get employees pumped up, when you instill pride, you have an employee worth their weight in gold. They’re able to reach their full potential, to truly shine.
Their job becomes more than just a paycheck, it becomes something they feel connected to and inspired by everyday. When you have employees engaged on that kind of level, it translates into more sales, better customer relations, more efficiency and innovation, etc.
Here are four ways to motivate employees:
1. Instill Meaning
When employees feel like there is a greater purpose behind the work they do, or the products or services they promote, they become aligned with their company’s goals. The tasks they perform day in, day out become less trying and mundane. They feel encouraged by the idea that they make a difference.
Constantly sharing goals and company values, and showing employees the kind of impact your products or services have helps assure a sense of meaning. Depending on your type of company, it may take some creativity on management’s part, but even small feats can be connected to something greater.
2. Challenge and Develop
When employees feel like their career is treading in quick sand it can be very demotivating. When they feel like they’re moving forward and have a clear sense of direction it can spur them to stretch beyond themselves.
It’s important to show employees that management is truly vested in their growth by being proactive mentors and having regular conversations about how to get to the next level. Offering on-going training or assigning tasks that challenge and promote autonomy can be very empowering. Be sure to recognize and reward each benchmark.
3. Customize Your Approach
What motivates one employee may be completely different for another. You want to get to know what makes each individual employee tick.
While some might be thrilled with the occasional gift card for a job well done, others might feel more roused by extra time off or a hefty bonus. If you’re not sure what fires them up, ask them. Use surveys or one-on-one meetings.
4. Create A Sense of Belonging
When an employee feels cared about by management and their peers they feel a strong sense of belonging, which in-turn makes them feel more deeply connected to their job. When this happens, they’re more likely to go the extra mile.
Create team building activities and company social events so that employees can interact and get to know one another. Celebrate birthdays. Stand up for your employees, give them praise, get to know them personally, do little things to show them you care.
Motivated employees happen when you create a culture that cultivates a strong sense of purpose and promotes a positive work environment. If you want to have truly motivated employees you have to be dedicated and employ these practices consistently. The end result will be highly engaged employees that stick around and perform.