Motivating employees

The basic principle of employee motivation is simple: people do what gets them what they want. You could ask your employees what they want but the old saying: ‘’actions speak louder than words’’ is a better guide, so you need to be a keen observer.
There are some general principles of employee motivation that apply to (nearly) everyone. Then there is the question of what motivates particular team members.
General Principles
1. Encourage Employees. Taking away benefits or downgrading working conditions are turn offs. So is rudeness, harsh treatment or a lack of fairness.
2. Value People’s contributions. Employees are motivated when they feel appreciated. Patting people on the back for a job well done is a good first step, but asking them for their input is even more powerful.
3. Involvement in Decision Making. Employees are motivated when they feel appreciated. Patting people on the back for a job well done is a good first step, but asking them for their input is even more powerful.
4. Challenge your employees to keep them stimulated and learning.
5. Be attentive on workload. Having a feedback from the team leads on how the work is being distributed and whether it is getting to your employee;s nerve, goes a long way in motivating a stressed out employee.
Motivating individual employees
Spend time with each team member regularly, at least once a quarter if not every month. Ask questions like: ‘’What do you most/least enjoy doing?’’ What would you like to do more/less of in future?’’ What would you like to get exposure to or learn about?’’ ‘’How do you like to spend your time at work? What really gives you a buzz?’’
Motivational Factors


People are motivated by different things. Here is a list of some prominent factors:
• Recognition
• New challenges
• Opportunities to meet new people
• A chance to learn and develop new skills
• Autonomy, being given extra responsibility
• Clear goals; a chance to achieve tangible outcomes
• Feeling involved
• Status – a new title or privileges
• Inspirational appeals, emotionally expressed vision
Beware of assuming that all employees are motivated by the same things that drive you. If an employee is just coming to work and putting in minimum effort before dashing home, then it is not this person’s fault. It may be that nothing you have offered really excites this person. It’s imperative to avoid a blame approach. You need to think harder about what it will take to engage this person.


Author: GlobalHunt India "http://www.globalhunt.in", which is the Top Executive Search Firm in India – A Recruitment Consultants and Placement Agency For the recruitment and placement of some of the top talent with its clients in the IT, Telecom, FMCG, Financial Services, Banking, Real Estate and Manufacturing Industries etc.