5 Radical Things You Can to Do to Motivate Employees
Here are a few ideas on how to motivate employees beyond the typical promises and vague assumptions.
Motivation isn't always something that comes from within. Sometimes, it has to come from the boss. These techniques are a bit more radical than just handing out tokens to use at the company gift shop. They focus in on the core motivations of your employees.
1. Pick someone on your staff and send them on a mini vacation
One of the best rewards you can give an employee in your office is to send them on a quick vacation. Maybe it's just a weekend at a resort across town or something fairly inexpensive. But by sending one person on your team, you are motivating everyone, because it could be another person's turn to go next time. You're creating an atmosphere of rewards.
One of the best rewards you can give an employee in your office is to send them on a quick vacation. Maybe it's just a weekend at a resort across town or something fairly inexpensive. But by sending one person on your team, you are motivating everyone, because it could be another person's turn to go next time. You're creating an atmosphere of rewards.
2. Remove yourself from a project
The de-motivating factor on a project could be your own presence. Maybe no one is very motivated because they know you will pick up the slack and finish everything. If you aren't around and the project depends entirely on their efforts, the team might suddenly become much more motivated--especially if they know you're not going to bail them out.
The de-motivating factor on a project could be your own presence. Maybe no one is very motivated because they know you will pick up the slack and finish everything. If you aren't around and the project depends entirely on their efforts, the team might suddenly become much more motivated--especially if they know you're not going to bail them out.
3. Turn the doldrums upside down
A good motivator for people is when some activity that seems fairly routine suddenly turns fun. I remember having to do a business trip that involved a boring drive from L.A. to Las Vegas. I decided to rent a Ford Mustang with a couple of team members. Suddenly, the trip became more inspiring and fun, and the business trip became more about building the relationships. It also hit home the point that other boring tasks could be fun.
A good motivator for people is when some activity that seems fairly routine suddenly turns fun. I remember having to do a business trip that involved a boring drive from L.A. to Las Vegas. I decided to rent a Ford Mustang with a couple of team members. Suddenly, the trip became more inspiring and fun, and the business trip became more about building the relationships. It also hit home the point that other boring tasks could be fun.
4. Promise what you can deliver
Nothing kills motivation like a promise that isn't fulfilled. Yet, you can easily motivate someone by promising exactly what you can deliver. If the sales rep needs a boost and you know you can add a 5 percent bonus if he or she completes a certain objective, go ahead and offer that motivation. Take it a step further and get really specific about what the end result will be if the employee does what you are asking. The more specific you get, the more you can motivate. Don't just say there will be a bonus, say when, how much, and how often.
Nothing kills motivation like a promise that isn't fulfilled. Yet, you can easily motivate someone by promising exactly what you can deliver. If the sales rep needs a boost and you know you can add a 5 percent bonus if he or she completes a certain objective, go ahead and offer that motivation. Take it a step further and get really specific about what the end result will be if the employee does what you are asking. The more specific you get, the more you can motivate. Don't just say there will be a bonus, say when, how much, and how often.
5. Give someone more leadership responsibility
Everyone likes being in charge--well, most people, anyway. One good motivator is to give more management responsibility to someone on your team. It's a reward that motivates because it shows you are aware of that person and their potential to lead. It helps an employee see that there is a bright future that could involve a promotion at some point. This is a radical move when it involves someone who might not be quite ready for the added responsibility. Just be ready to pick up the slack if the idea goes awry.
Everyone likes being in charge--well, most people, anyway. One good motivator is to give more management responsibility to someone on your team. It's a reward that motivates because it shows you are aware of that person and their potential to lead. It helps an employee see that there is a bright future that could involve a promotion at some point. This is a radical move when it involves someone who might not be quite ready for the added responsibility. Just be ready to pick up the slack if the idea goes awry.
By John Brandon
Source: Inc.
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