Promote Fairness and Reward Accordingly
According to a recent study by HubSpot, 69% of employees report that they would be more motivated at work if they felt better appreciated. This stat is concerning on a few levels; first, that is a huge percentage of employees who feel like their motivation at work is lacking, and beyond that, over half of the employees polled did not feel appreciated! In today’s world of individualism and competition for talent, there is no room for undervaluing good employees.
The more motivated your employees are, the more engaged they become with their work. This is crucial in today’s workforce where only 36% of employees report being engaged at work, despite statistics that supports 21% higher profitability in companies with a highly engaged workforce!
Recognize Wins
37% of employees rank recognition and rewards as their top motivator. The form of recognition which motivates individuals the most varies from case to case, but one thing is for sure – employees want to be recognized somehow. Varying the delivery and timing of recognition is a great way to appeal to all styles of employees.
When an employee does a good job, recognize that event by highlighting the positive impacts they it has on the organization. In addition to making your employee feel appreciated, it also underlines their impact on the bigger picture – improving culture all together.
The key to maximizing the positive effects of recognition and rewards is variety. Tap into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors with varied rewards. Some employees motivation is very much sparked from within – which requires external reinforcement in the form of praise, one-on-one positive feedback, and perceived status on their team.
Other team members require more extrinsic rewards for motivation. This can range of intangible rewards like public recognition, placing first in a leaderboard, or winning a contest to tangible rewards like prizes or bonuses. Keep in mind that variety is especially important when utilizing extrinsic rewards. Different items hold different value to everyone, and for the reward to be as effective as possible, you need to ensure you offer options to appeal to all your employees.
Set Clear Goals
No one likes spinning their wheels to no avail. It is difficult for employees to stay motivated if they do not know what direction they are headed in. Without a greater understanding of their long and short-term goals and what constitutes as good performance, complacency sets in.
Nip this issue in the bud by providing clear expectations, career maps, and benchmark goals for employees to strive to reach. Each time an employee achieves a goal, it triggers a motivation boost that keeps them moving in a positive direction.
Have Fun
Fun at work can be tricky – no one likes an overly happy workmate, and sometimes real talk and serious work is the only way to get something accomplished. However, just like there is a time and place for tough love and grinding away, there is also a big place for fun and positivity!
In fact, happiness has been proven to raise business productivity by 31%, not a number to sneeze at! Positive work experiences and relationships have a direct impact on success, motivation, engagement, and productivity. Shifting to a more positive and fun environment is one of the simplest ways to make a big impact!
Providing little breaks throughout the day where employees can relax and enjoy time with each other is a great way to build community and increase their desire to do well for their team. Ensure that the community involves everyone! Managers, ensure that you take the time to get to know your employees, check in on them, talk to them about work and life and show them that you really care. This promotes a culture of employees who feel cared about, comfortable, and happy!
In addition, providing a good employee experience underlines the idea that you care about your team. This shows them that they matter to you and/or their company and improves their motivation to perform.
Provide Positive Leadership
It isn’t enough to provide a fun and positive atmosphere for your employees – you need to walk the walk! Leadership should act as a prime example for your team and set the tone for a positive and motivated workforce.
Empower your leaders (and yourself) to approach their jobs with a positive and understanding approach – and don’t keep it a secret! Create a plan to communicate the company’s goals, values, and new directions with the entire team. Transparency breeds trust and a sense of belonging, both of which are crucial for happy employees.
Furthermore, instill trust in your employees. To one extent or another, employees want a sense of independence at work. They spend their days mastering their tasks and learning everything that they can to do the best job – show them that you see this! Take cues from them on their expertise and bolster their confidence at work by acknowledging that they know best when it comes to their specific job.
Promote Fairness and Reward Accordingly
Of course, we can provide you with the most amazing tips in the world – but if your team doesn’t feel like you’re being fair and equitable, you won’t see much of a benefit. Feelings of favoritism and distrust are sure ways to lose your employees faith in you, and their desire to perform well for you.
Just like transparency in leadership is crucial to gaining your teams trust, so is transparency in rewards! Work with your team to develop a culture of fairness that rewards employees for wins in an objective way.
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