Motivating Your Team!
Congratulations! You've had the team-building day and implemented a
comprehensive systems overhaul. The salary reviews went smoothly. Yet
performance is still down. Staff motivation is sometimes overlooked - and it can
have a huge impact on your business profitability. Unmotivated staff inevitably
leads to relaxed discipline, low morale and eventual human resource problems.
Here are some tactics to help you become the motivator:
ASSESSING MOTIVATION LEVELS
- Are these levels currently acceptable, or are you actually pushing too
hard by striving for excellence? Are things generally at low ebb? Or worse
still, are there factors that are clearly destroying staff motivation levels?
- Don't just focus on the high fliers. It can be even more important (and
difficult) to motivate the people who fuel the engine room of your business.
Identify the people who are the lifeblood of the company. The peer leaders of
various social groupings are not always the managers, but they frequently set
the standards, attitude and behavior of other staff in the area. Sometimes the
source problem will be common knowledge at management level or even on the
hospital floor - perhaps a company setback or loss of employee trust, an
unpopular manager or a troublesome team member. Don't ignore it. Left
unchecked, the problem may affect motivation levels.
INCREASING MOTIVATION LEVELS
- Consider a comprehensive and candid discussion across organizational
levels to determine individual perspectives. Identify issues holding the
company back and ways to increase motivation. Sometimes employees will feel
more comfortable talking to an independent third party on a confidential
basis. Therefore consider engaging a firm that specializes in organizational
development. Bringing issues out into the open is sometimes all that is
required.
- Personality assessments are a recognized motivational tool. Who is the
best person to lead and motivate a team? What are the hidden talents of your
staff? Where is conflict coming from?
- Don't let negatives get everyone down. Bad things can become the office
gossip of the day. Circulate positive (true) stories. Turn potentially
negative stories into positive ones.
- Motivate your team with rewards. Get the staff to brainstorm ways to
recognize each other's achievements. Surprise your team with a treat.
Compliment your staff often in public and privately. Do this both individually
and as a group.
- Goals help staff motivate and challenge themselves. However repeated
failure can damage morale. Ensure that your goals are realistic, and that you
have a road map to help your employees reach their potential.
- Be aware that individual merit incentives may undermine teamwork. Each
employee's attitude has an impact on the overall attitude of the office.
Consider the global approach, rewarding everyone based on company-wide
results.
- Build a culture of respect. Involve your staff in decisions. Regularly
seek their advice. Establish relationships with individual members of your
staff, and pay attention to what uniquely motivates different people.
- Give your staff opportunities to represent the facility. Allow them to
attend conferences, take on leadership roles with professional associations
and establish a network of contacts. Although apparently risky, your support
actually contributes to satisfaction in your employee's current job. I want to
empower you to fulfill your potential! If you can work 16 hours today, then
your 20-hours shift tomorrow should really elevate your self-esteem
I want to
empower you to fulfill your potential! If you can work 16 hours today, then your
20-hours shift tomorrow should really elevate your self-esteem
