27 Feb Boosting employee moral to increase productivity
The question asked by executives and managers – “How can I motivate my employees?” – is sometimes difficult to answer.
Since each employee is motivated by a variety of different incentives, you need to find out what is of value for each person.
Research shows that people often leave an employer because they haven’t received the recognition they want, or feedback on how they are doing. With this in mind, designing a positive, employee-driven motivation program works with some of your employees, but then what do you do for the others?
Here are seven ways I believe you can more easily boost your employees’ morale:
Get Your Employees Involved:
Typically, your employees want to get involved in their jobs and be part of the success and progress of the company for which they work. Asking your employees to set their own job goals, as well as having them suggest more efficient ways to do their jobs, is an excellent way to find out how they can manage their own jobs.
One of my clients has set up a very successful Employee Advisory Group within her organization. This group includes both employees and managers, and has been very successful in coming forward with ideas. Through this group, employees can see that they are contributing to the company decisions, especially when they see their suggestions implemented.
Communication:
Effective employee communication can have a positive impact with pride affecting the company’s productivity. Make sure your employees are included in all communications, especially in policy decisions and any changes taking place.
Also, any communication that takes place with your employees requires that you listen to them. Communication is not all about talking, it’s listening and a lot more If your employees feel that they are not being listened to, negative effects will result and will impact on productivity. Listening to your employees shows that you have an interest in them.
Job Satisfaction:
Research shows that, beyond achievements and getting recognition for accomplishments, three factors that contribute to employee longevity are:
- being challenged in the work they are given,
- given increased responsibilities for the work they do, and
- getting training in new skills to help them complete their tasks more efficiently and give them room for promotion.
Satisfaction on the job is just as important as getting the recognition for completing the tasks assigned. Otherwise, boredom sets in and your employees will do the minimal effort just to get by. Allow your employees to get creative in how they complete the work. You will find that this will also help on a company-wide basis.
Tools to Get the Job Done:
In order to get work done, and done right, you as the leader need to give your employees the skills and tools for them to complete their tasks. This includes giving them the support and the training they need. Then your employees will stay motivated.
Independency/Empowerment:
Sometimes, knowing when to step back and let your employees do their work is what they need. Employees want to feel that they are trusted to get their work done. Being Micro managed does not work for most people. As a leader, when you delegate or assign a task to your employees, clearly tell them what your expectations are and them let them do the work.
You will find that your employees will take pride in their work when they are allowed to make some decisions on their own. They feel that they own it, especially if the decision of how to best do their job is from them. Always make sure you remind them that they can come back to you at anytime to ask for clarification.
Rewards:
Your employees need to be motivated to do a great job. For this to be consistent, give your employees praise and appreciation. This should be done in front of others. Whether you give a personalized written note, a positive compliment, or other type of incentive, you need to give these to all employees, when deserved, to keep their motivation going.
Make sure all of your employees are valued and recognized for the contributions they make to your company. Remember, not all employees respond to the same incentives as others. Find out what they are interested in (restaurants, cinemas, theatre, motor racing etc) and make the reward appropriate to them.
Care About Your People:
Beyond the point of assigning work tasks and providing the tools needed to complete the tasks, leaders need to look at further educating and training their talented employees. If your employees believe that their boss does not care about either the task or them, then they will not care either. The company then suffers for that.
In implementing these specific keys to your company’s benefits, you will find a significant positive impact throughout your organization. Building morale in your organization is not as hard as you might think. The key to motivating your employees is having them feel valued and appreciated by their boss and within the company.