Boosting Employee Motivation

Employee motivation is essential for a highly
productive organization. The challenge today is that a lot of managers
want to know how to motivate their employees. A better question
however, is "How do I create a climate that is motivational for my
employees?" Here are five simple tips that help to create an inspiring
work culture and increase employee motivation.

1. Arrive at work in a good mood

Managers
have to understand that their mood weighs far more than anyone else's
on the team. When an employee is in a bad mood most of the team will
dismiss it. When the manager is in a bad mood everybody notices. When
managers arrive at work frustrated, stressed, and in a stormy mood, it
will erode employee motivation. So when you come to work, make a
decision before you open that door to arrive in good spirits, full of
optimism, and ready to go.

2. Make sure people know what you expect

Ambiguity
can stifle employee motivation. When employees know exactly where you
are going as a team, and when they know exactly what is expected of
them, they will require less direction and prodding from you. Make sure
your staff is clear about expectations, and are constantly reminded of
the vision and goals of the company.

3. Provide regular feedback

People
want to know how they are doing. It is important for a manager to
provide ongoing feedback for their staff. This covers both positive
feedback, and constructive criticism. Some managers only give feedback
when something is wrong. This will lead to a staff that wonders when
and if they are doing anything right. Other managers only give out
positive feedback which is great, but if you never offer any
constructive feedback for their improvement they will begin to distrust
you. Employee motivation is fueled in part by knowing where we are and
where we have to go. Give regular feedback.

4. Help people grow

Everybody
wants to grow and develop. In today's world employees know they have to
become more and more valuable in order to stay competitive. In fact one
of the elements people most want from their job is a chance to grow and
develop. If you can find ways to provide ongoing development for your
people it will help boost their motivation. It does not have to be big,
but they have to see tangible efforts being made to help them grow.

5. Give people choice

An
integral part of intrinsic motivation is autonomy. When people feel
autonomous, they feel they are in control of their own destinies. In a
work setting this is demonstrated when people have choice in how to do
their job. When you micromanage an employee they feel like they have
very little choice. This kills employee motivation because they feel
more like a prisoner than a trusted part of the team.

Employee
motivation has many facets but the manager who learns to apply some of
these principles can go a long way in creating a motivating work
environment. Remember, it's not so much how you motivate a person, as
it is how you create a motivational environment where your employees
will motivate themselves.

James
Robbins is a leadership trainer and expert in employee motivation. He
produces a free weekly web show for managers called Help Me Lead TV. To
find out more go to http://www.jamesrobbins.tv