How to Motivate Employees Effectively at Work?

Mike, a sales manager at a large corporation, he’s been working there for about six months. Still full of energy for the job, and he is willing to take initiative in his work.  

It worked out, and he won a client. He announced the news to his immediate superior. When the superior had a meeting with the big boss, he took Mike’s credit.  

Mike decided to try again by taking another initiative. Unfortunately, it was a disaster, and he lost the client. His superior put all the blame on him and brought out his mistake during his performance review.  

Mike never takes any more initiative. For him, it means giving credit to other people and getting an earful for trying to do his job well. A month later, he resigned.

When your employees lose enthusiasm in their jobs, it is a sign that they won’t stay at the company for long. As an employer or manager, you need to learn the ways of how to motivate employees, so they put their best efforts to keep the company growing.  

Why do you need to motivate your employees?

Research shows that enthusiastic employees increase the company’s profitability by 21%. When employees feel engaged and are passionate about their work, they are more driven to generate outcomes. And, coming to the office in the morning won’t be a drag for them.  

Here’s what you’ll get when you work with motivated employees:

• They show up at work. Motivated employees are more likely to commit to their jobs, rather than frequently taking days off.
• Employees stay in the job longer. The longer an employee stays with a company, the more experienced they have in solving business challenges. You don’t have to spend to hire more people and additional training.  
• They perform better. They are more likely to be on time, work harder, and focus more on their regular tasks. Hence, higher productivity can lead to higher business output.

When your employees are full of energy, they come to work happy with high levels of commitment, drive, and energy to tackle new challenges to succeed in the long run.  

The same goes for Mike. If only his superior had recognised his effort, do you think he’ll leave the job?

1. Be the leader employees look up to

As a manager, you need to be a good role model for executive-level employees to lead, guide, and nurture them to do their best work. When they trust you, they are more willing to stick around and continue to grow in the company.  

According to a study, employees who trust their managers are more motivated at work. Always be approachable to the employees when they need guidance, at work, or in life. Listen to what they want to achieve in their career path. Be the inspiring leader that reflects the value your employees want to be.

Ultimately, trust your employees’ capabilities. As you start to believe them, you will find your employees more confident and productive. When you lead the team well, they will do the same.  

‍2. Create a supportive work environment

Employees spend most of their waking hours in the office. The work environment should be a place where employees feel comfortable, so they are more productive. A global study shows that engaged employees perform better by 20%.

Challenge your employees by giving them tasks that will push them out of their comfort zone, and provide the support they need to succeed. When they achieve something they didn’t think was possible, they feel valued and become more competitive to drive business outcomes.

Workplace satisfaction is addictive. Once the team experiences the taste of exceeding expectations, they won’t want to stop. To create a more supportive work environment, offer your employees more meaningful responsibilities. Watch as they thrive and succeed in their accomplishments. It’s one of the ways to motivate your employees and make them realise their value to the organisation.

3. Invest in employee training

In today’s business environment, organisations that help In today’s business environment, organisations that help employees to develop their skills had a proven track record of profitability and business success over some time.

Without training, your employees can lag in job performance compared to those who receive training, making them more likely to lose motivation, feel disconnected, and get bored at work.

A recent study by LinkedIn shows that 94% of employees would stay with a company longer if invested in training opportunities for employees. If you want the retain and get the most out of your top talents, consider investing in your employees by offering professional training programs.

Train your employees in various areas so they become multi-skilled. Your willingness to invest in your employees drives them to be more loyal to the company. Hence, they feel valued and empowered to take up responsibilities at work.  

4. Keep track of individual performance review

Employees may not find it fair if their performance is based solely on the feedback from their managers. A performance review entails what an employee did wrong and the areas to improve on, whether the employee deserves a raise or a bonus — typically doesn’t keep them inspired or energised.

Allow your employees to reflect on their work over the past year.  Focus on the future, invite them to share their career goals, and determine the tasks they would like to take on. Let them know exactly where they stand and allow them to improve through constructive criticism.

The key is consistency. Keep the communication open and be sure to check in with your employees regularly. Make the communication a two-way street to ensure individual employee performance aligns with the overall business objectives.

Retaining Your Employees is a Priority

Happy, motivated employees are the backbones of a successful organisation. Support your employees’ professional and personal goals to build their trust in your leadership. While it might take some time and more effort, it’s a process that yields positive results when done correctly.

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