44% of workers under the age of 35 reported a lack of work motivation during 2020. It’s not hard to see why. A deadly pandemic that forced a drastic work from home strategy increased loneliness and isolation.
To say it’s been a challenge to motivate employees this past year is an understatement. There are ways to turn office morale around. Do you need help getting the most out of your staff?
Check out this guide for how to motivate employees.
1. Provide Positive Feedback
Employees who feel underappreciated will struggle with motivation. Would you enjoy only hearing from your supervisor when there’s a problem?
Workers who feel a lack of recognition from their managers are more likely to quit. If they don’t quit, they’ll stop investing in their work. An employee who doesn’t care is worse than an employee who quits.
Managers need to provide positive feedback to motivate employees who do a good job. A sincere “thank you” or “great job” can fix any minor motivation problems.
If you want to know what motivate employees, this is the place to start.
2. Provide Clear Purpose and Goals
There are two types of workplace goals. There are individual goals and team goals. A worker who meets their individual goals helps the team achieve its goals.
It’s a simple concept to understand. Managers aren’t as clear as they need to be. Keeping employees motivated means providing them with a clear purpose.
Managers who explain how an employee’s individual goals serve a greater purpose keep employees motivated.
3. Set the Tone
Managers are workplace leaders. You set your workplace’s atmosphere every day.
Your employees pick up on your energy. If you exude stress and anxiety, they’re stressed and anxious. If you greet them with anger, you’ll wear down their will to work.
Looking for ways to motivate employees? Consider your day-to-day mood and how it impacts your employees.
4. One on One Communication
How are your employees? Are they struggling? Are they crushing it?
If you don’t know, you’re already in trouble. Employees respond well to one on one personal communication.
Schedule regular meetings to gauge their workplace satisfaction. These meetings provide the opportunity for open expression.
Employees work better when they feel as if their supervisor understands their workplace issues.
5. Provide an Excellent Work Environment
This was easy to do in the office. Now your employees work from home. You can’t control their home environment.
You need new ideas to motivate your employees.
Think outside the box. You can’t control the variables of a home office. You can provide your employees important life tools to improve their work from home environment.
Consider life coaching services. These coaches teach the skills necessary for self-motivation.
Motivate Employees Like a Boss
Employees report a lack of motivation in record numbers. It’s not hard to see why. They’re cut off from friends and family.
You know the feeling. It’s your job as a manager to motivate employees through good and bad times. Don’t forget to keep your head up, too.
Do you need more managerial advice? Check out the rest of our page.
