Tips on How to Motivate Employees

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MOTIVATION is one of the factors affecting employees in a thriving business. It’s NOT just about boosting productivity; it’s about fostering a sense of BELONGING, PURPOSE, and GROWTH.

According to our recent poll on LinkedIn on July 31, 2024, 50% of the respondents answered that they motivate their team through individual rewards, 33% through public recognition, and 17% through team challenges.

Individual Rewards

Consider gift cards, or these could be in the form of monthly bonuses or lump sum payouts. For example, one of your team members receives a $500 bonus based on his performance on a recent task completed for a client. This not only motivates him to work effectively but also improves his overall job satisfaction.

People love money but also TIME, possibly reward with paid days off! Create clear goals that are obtainable and feature a few paid days off as the reward.

A study published by the Harvard Business Review in 2020 found that companies that offer tangible rewards, such as bonuses or gift cards, saw a 20% increase in employee motivation. Tangible rewards provide a clear incentive for employees to participate actively in training.

Public Recognition

Employees also appreciate being acknowledged in front of their peers, which motivates them. It highlights their accomplishments in team meetings or company newsletters.

Based on an article published by Cooleaf, employee recognition stats found that 92% of workers are more likely to repeat a specific action after receiving recognition for it, and more than 40% of employed Americans feel that if they were recognized more often, they would put more energy into their work.

Team Challenges

There are also employees who are motivated by friendly competition. Consider implementing team-based projects with exciting rewards for the winners. Better yet, host an annual company event. Rent out an area in a park, have them bring family, have food and games! This builds a strong sense of belonging.

Additional Strategies

While rewards are powerful, remember, motivation is a multi-faceted beast.  Consider these ADDITIONAL strategies to consider for your team.

1. Provide opportunities for skill development through training programs, mentorship, and cross-functional training. INVEST in your team, and they’ll invest in you.
2. Open COMMUNICATION, active listening, and empathy are the cornerstones of trust. Be transparent, show genuine interest in your team’s ideas, and support them through challenges.
3. Give your team the freedom to make decisions and take OWNERSHIP of projects. When they feel valued and trusted, they’ll go the extra mile.
4. Clearly communicate your company’s mission and values. Help your team understand how their work CONTRIBUTES to the bigger picture. People are motivated when their work feels meaningful.
5. Promote a healthy work-life balance with FLEXIBLE work arrangements and well-being programs. Foster a positive work environment with team-building activities and social gatherings.

Remember that motivation is a complex issue with NO one-size-fits-all solution. WHAT WORKS FOR ONE EMPLOYEE MAY NOT FOR ANOTHER. The key is to create a workplace culture where employees feel valued, challenged, and supported. By focusing on these strategies, YOU can create a motivated and engaged workforce that drives business SUCCESS.

Thank you for reading my blog,

Nicole Russell

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