How Can You Motivate Employees
With employee engagement numbers hovering at only one third of the work force, it's no wonder that one of the questions I hear most often is "how do I motivate an employee?" My short answer is, "you can't."
Experience and lots of attempts at standing on my head, flashing shiny objects in front of people, and playing continuous loops of the motivational ballad "Eye of the Tiger" on a boom box in office hallways has convinced me that the best a leader can hope to do is create momentary sparks of motivation.
Sustained motivation-the kind that leads to engaged emotions such as passion and commitment as well as to organizational benefits that come from discretionary effort-has to come from the employees themselves. It is self generated. Everyone has to tap into their own passions, they have to hold themselves accountable, and they have to seek out triggers that get them jazzed.
What a leader can and should do, though, is Influence that self motivation. Here's how:
Model Passion-The most motivated employees are the ones who tell me that they "want my job." As a leader, show enthusiasm, continue learning, be passionate. When your team sees you love your job, it begins a contagion.
Challenge- Nothing is more boring and less motivational than an easy job. Once someone gets to conscious competence, add in another challenge. Help them build skills. It keeps people actively thinking and it is a flashing beacon signalling that you know they can handle it. Nothing motivates more than a boss who has faith in you! They see a future.
Get Familiar- The more you and your team know each other as human beings, the more interconnected you become. Part of one game. One goal. One team.
Have a Parade- And I mean, have a parade not just for the 4th of July but for Arbor Day too. Celebrate victories big and small. One or two giant parades a year won't do it. Twirl that damn baton three or four times a month-and let others take turns leading the band.
Take away the net- There's no thrill in walking on the high wire if you know someone is there to cushion the landing like your mother did when the training wheels came off. Step back, give people their own power, and let them rip! -Yeah, they kinda know you're still close enough to catch them if they are headed for a really hard fall, but try to stay out of direct view.
Be Direct- Employees know if you're not being straight with them. Don't BS to make things easier for them-or you-in a short run conversation. It saps trust and breaks their connection to you and to the job. If you legitimately can't discuss an issue, tell them that. Don't dance. Look people in the eye and be honest.
Be timely- Communicate news-good or bad, big or small-before rumors get started. Uncertainty, especially in uncertain times, creates crap. Don't let it get started. You be the voice.
Blast "Eye of the Tiger" Once In a While- Even if it's just inside you're own head. It will pump you up and you'll pay it forward. Hell, there's a reason it's a motivational anthem!
For more resources on creating an organizational culture that supports strong business results, please visit us at http://thecoryellgroup.com/
With employee engagement numbers hovering at only one third of the work force, it's no wonder that one of the questions I hear most often is "how do I motivate an employee?" My short answer is, "you can't."
Experience and lots of attempts at standing on my head, flashing shiny objects in front of people, and playing continuous loops of the motivational ballad "Eye of the Tiger" on a boom box in office hallways has convinced me that the best a leader can hope to do is create momentary sparks of motivation.
Sustained motivation-the kind that leads to engaged emotions such as passion and commitment as well as to organizational benefits that come from discretionary effort-has to come from the employees themselves. It is self generated. Everyone has to tap into their own passions, they have to hold themselves accountable, and they have to seek out triggers that get them jazzed.
What a leader can and should do, though, is Influence that self motivation. Here's how:
Model Passion-The most motivated employees are the ones who tell me that they "want my job." As a leader, show enthusiasm, continue learning, be passionate. When your team sees you love your job, it begins a contagion.
Challenge- Nothing is more boring and less motivational than an easy job. Once someone gets to conscious competence, add in another challenge. Help them build skills. It keeps people actively thinking and it is a flashing beacon signalling that you know they can handle it. Nothing motivates more than a boss who has faith in you! They see a future.
Get Familiar- The more you and your team know each other as human beings, the more interconnected you become. Part of one game. One goal. One team.
Have a Parade- And I mean, have a parade not just for the 4th of July but for Arbor Day too. Celebrate victories big and small. One or two giant parades a year won't do it. Twirl that damn baton three or four times a month-and let others take turns leading the band.
Take away the net- There's no thrill in walking on the high wire if you know someone is there to cushion the landing like your mother did when the training wheels came off. Step back, give people their own power, and let them rip! -Yeah, they kinda know you're still close enough to catch them if they are headed for a really hard fall, but try to stay out of direct view.
Be Direct- Employees know if you're not being straight with them. Don't BS to make things easier for them-or you-in a short run conversation. It saps trust and breaks their connection to you and to the job. If you legitimately can't discuss an issue, tell them that. Don't dance. Look people in the eye and be honest.
Be timely- Communicate news-good or bad, big or small-before rumors get started. Uncertainty, especially in uncertain times, creates crap. Don't let it get started. You be the voice.
Blast "Eye of the Tiger" Once In a While- Even if it's just inside you're own head. It will pump you up and you'll pay it forward. Hell, there's a reason it's a motivational anthem!
For more resources on creating an organizational culture that supports strong business results, please visit us at http://thecoryellgroup.com/
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