Employees are assets to an organization. You may set up the best of the strategies in the world, but if you don’t have the right people to execute those strategies well, you can do less to make your business successful.
Hiring the best talent in the market is one thing, and making sure they stick around is another. While the money and employment benefits are what attract a candidate to apply with your company, it is the feeling of belongingness that sustains them in your organization.
For years, studies have proved that only highly motivated and engaged employees are most productive. When the individuals believe in the organization and feel connected to its very core, they don’t hold back and are ready to go the extra mile.
Keeping employees motivated can be pretty daunting for an organization. It requires an employer to understand human psychology and behavior in detail and provide each individual with the drive to perform to the best of their ability.
Here are a few ways that you as a leader can inspire your employees and create a motivating environment for them:
#1 – By becoming a respectful and honest leader
This may seem like a no-brainer, but providing supportive leadership is one of the key factors contributing to employee motivation. Generally, it is because of bad leaders and bosses; employees run for the hills. All that dominance and criticism just never works. On the contrary, it is respect, honesty, support, and clear communication that keeps the employees focused and develops new talent. Thus, be someone who acts as a role model for everyone around and earns genuine respect.
#2 – By empowering your employees
Every single individual wants to be heard and feel like the company is valuing their effort. So, make sure you give equal opportunities to your workforce to express themselves and lead with their own ideas and solutions. Empower them to excel in their role, no matter how big or small. Encourage creativity and teamwork. Celebrate mini-milestones achieved in their day-to-day roles and see how everyone goes on to exceed your expectations.
#3 – By providing personalized feedback
It is great to make your employees feel fulfilled by their work. However, at the same time, it is essential that you provide meaningful feedback for the job done. That shows that you are paying attention and have evaluated the advice given by the people around you. Pinpoint exactly how someone’s contribution benefits the company. It will give you enough space to give a negative piece of feedback (if any) without making anyone offended or criticized.
#4 – By recognizing and rewarding employees’ achievements
While dealing with employees, you should know that they are humans and not animals and, using a stick (instead of a carrot) will not get you the desired results from them. If an employee has spent a lot of time working on a project, appreciate their efforts, so they continue working like that. Develop a rewards program for your employees and announce their rewards publicly. Use personalized gifting occasionally to remind them that they are valued and ensure they stay motivated.