Keeping your employees motivated is no easy task for managers, it’s easier said than done. While it can sometimes seem like an uphill struggle trying to keep your team (and yourself) feeling driven, it’s essential. Put simply – a motivated workforce is a productive one!
However, there are some tricks of the trade when it comes to employee motivation. In this blog, we’re sharing our top tips on how to keep your workforce motivated, driven and engaged – helping you achieve your business objectives.
POSTIVE FEEDBACK
Showing recognition and appreciation is essential when it comes to workplace morale. Appreciating employees and providing positive feedback when they’re deserving of it is crucial as it creates a supportive environment, boosts spirits and will make your team feel valued.
Feedback is important when it comes to motivating your team, but you should always make sure that this is constructive. This should detail what someone has done well and how they can get to that next level, assisting them with their professional development. Constructive feedback motivates employees while encouraging them to work harder!
POSTITIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Creating a positive and inclusive environment is key to success. In doing so, you are bound to boost employee retention and motivation! Hosting employee recognition events such as Employee of the Month and Employee Appreciation Days will give employees the recognition they deserve for their hard work.
A relaxed working environment that your team feel comfortable in will reduce stress and encourage productivity – and isn’t that the goal when it comes to workplace culture?
The first step to creating a positive work environment is making it an inclusive one. It’s no secret that inclusive environments are key to productivity, but celebrating your teams’ different backgrounds and different cultures will also open your mind to new ideas and perspectives – and can spark innovation!
Find out more: how to promote inclusivity at work
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The learning and development of your team should be something that is regularly revisited. Asking employees to keep a CPD (Continuous Personal Development) log will allow you to keep on top of how much workplace learning is taking place, and which areas need more attention. No matter how long someone has been in a role, there is always room for the improvement of skills, and offering training opportunities is a great way to keep employees engaged in their roles.
Providing opportunities for training and development in areas where your employees want to advance their knowledge and skills will boost job satisfaction levels. If people feel bored at work, they can easily lose motivation. Make sure that everyone on the team has plenty to keep them busy, and that they are able to work on a variety of different tasks. Encourage employees to tackle new challenges that take them outside of their comfort zone, as this is where real job satisfaction can be found.
CLEAR PROGRESSION ROUTES
Professional development and clear progression routes come hand in hand. The promise of career progression opportunities will give ambitious employees something tangible to aim for – and this will be reflected in their efforts as they go above and beyond to try and meet their professional goals.
Creating and setting clear progression routes can be discussed in your 1-1’s and actioned by setting SMART objectives. SMART objectives are a great way to give your employee a timely objective to hit and aim towards in order progress in their role.
EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES
A bit of healthy competition between employees is a tried and tested way to keep them on their toes and foster team spirit. Introducing a rewards or incentive scheme can lead to a noticeable increase in productivity and determination. If in doubt, speak to your team to find out what kind of things they are motivated by: it could be a prize, group activity, or simply a form of recognition.
Celebrating milestones is great way to keep employees feeling valued. Whether it’s a birthday, work anniversary, or project completion, it’s important to recognise these milestones so that employees feel valued and engaged. It’s an excellent approach to creating a positive culture of acknowledgement.