How to Motivate Employees

Motivation in the Workplace

Many managers ask how to motivate employees. It's a good question. But a better question is: why is employee motivation important? Consider these facts:

80% of all employee who work in the United States wake up on Monday morning and don't want to go to work.

Most employees are not as productive as they can be.

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If you can increase employee motivation then you have an excellent chance to improve employee production which should help improve your company's bottom line. In today's challenging global economy, you need every edge you can get.

Following are tips on how to motivate employees for motivation in the workplace:

Be committed to developing others - Your employees won't care until they know you care. If you are committed to their professional growth and sincerely look out for their best interest, you have a better chance of influencing motivation. There are many studies that show employees want career development and advancement opportunities. This is truly a win-win situation.

One management style will not work for all employees. Every employee is different. Be flexible in your management style.You should not manage all employee the same way. For instance, a dependable employee should be granted more leeway than an undependable employee. An employee who learns quickly and shows initiative will need less direction than an employee who does not exhibit these traits.

Support a cause. Work as a team to do something that is good for the world outside of work. Get your group together to raise money for a charity. In my office, twice each year, we volunteer at one of the local food banks. It's a rewarding experience that we all share together. It's made us a better team.

Start a club. Team building is enhanced when work groups do things together that have nothing to do with work. Our office employees implemented a 'birthday club.' Employees look forward to it. Each month participants receive a card with specific words of appreciation from co-workers and management. Quarterly, we throw one big celebration. It's fun and a nice time for all.

Learn your individual employees' wants and needs. You can do this by socializing. Take the time to get up from your desk and ask your employees how they are and what's new - and listen to the answer.

Give a compliment. Think of something nice you can say about each and every employee, and then go tell them. Always be sincere and please keep it related to work.

Make the workplace 'fun.' - Employees spend a great deal of time at work. If you think 'fun' hurts productivity, then think again. Here's a great article I found about why it's important to implement a little fun at work.

Please refer to the menu below or more ideas and wisdom on how to motivate employees.