Last week we discussed the foundation of employee motivation, which is trust. In order for an employee to be motivated at all, they must first have faith in their manager and the company they work for, believing that upper management and the owners will follow through on their promises. Once you’ve established trust with your staff, you can then do other things to improve your staff’s motivation. We’ll focus on how to motivate employees today.
1. Empower your staff
In other words, let them do their jobs. You hired them to work. Don’t micromanage and take away all their decision-making authority.
What if someone was looking over your shoulder at everything you did? Or what if you had to get approval on every step before you took action? Not only is that mentally and physically draining, but treating an employee like that makes them feel like a flunky instead of an intelligent human being.
2. Show respect and appreciation
Hopefully you’ve done your homework and you’ve developed superstar employees that surpass your expectations. Now it’s time you treat them like talented individuals they are. If you don’t show respect or appreciation, you’ll be the reason why your top talent leaves your company.
Remember the top five reasons for people leaving their workplace? According to a study by the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness, three of the top five have to do with how their bosses treat them. Key message here: You have a huge influence over the productiveness, attitudes, and motivation of your staff.
How can you show respect or appreciation? Speak positively about them to others, write thank-you notes after a project ends, buy them lunch during the height of busy season—the ways to do this are endless. Be creative, and remember that small gestures make the largest difference.
3. Create a system for promotion and growth
A lack of upward mobility is another top reason why people leave their jobs, according to the CMOE’s study.
Why would an employee work harder if there is no opportunity for a raise, better title, or more responsibility? With no chance of moving up the ladder, the employee will come to work and go through the motions because there’s no chance of changing the status quo and no chance to grow as a person.
People need incentives, goals, and rewards.
Business success depends on employees
Your staff will determine the level of success your business achieves. You can’t do it without them. If you want to create, grow, and maintain a successful business, you need to empower your staff, treat them with respect, and create an opportunity for personal growth, recognition, and promotions.
Having a strong staff that can do their work without you is important, especially if you are considering ever selling your business. One key area that buyers closely examine before acquiring a business is the stability and diversity of the employee base. Your staff must be able to stand on their own without you because that is the only way, in the long run, that your business will survive and thrive.
Planning to exit is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. To learn about the basics of exit planning, click here.
