How to Keep Your Employees Motivated

A good job is hard to find, but every entrepreneur knows a good employee is even harder to keep. Motivating your staff is as easy as taking the time to get to know them.

Observe and discover what your employees enjoy doing in and out of work.  Ask about their hobbies or interests and make sure you listen.  Don’t just ask for the sake of asking. Showing concern and interest in the lives of each employee goes a long way.

Conversations like these are more effective than any fancy retreat with a facilitator and ice-breaker activities.

Encourage thoughtful input during this time by creating a safe place to raise concerns.  Challenge them to share not only problems, but possible solutions.

For example, a team member may feel disengaged because they are stressed about getting through traffic to pick up their child at school or daycare on time.  Something as simple as a minor shift in their work schedule can create a world of difference.

Most employees have great ideas, but never share them.  Those who do share tend to have greater job satisfaction, engagement, learning, and creativity.

Motivation may come from supporting new ideas and giving an individual the chance to run it. In the end, the organization can see higher revenues and decreased accidents or errors.  This is a perfect situation where everyone benefits when ideas are shared.

Seeking feedback and suggestions is another effective means of motivation.

It is important to make certain that feedback will be received with an open mind and those sharing feel safe from retaliation.  When a suggestion has been considered by management, make sure to close the loop with the team.  If this is not done, the message sent is that the request for feedback was insincere.

While all of the methods of motivation can be effective, they may not work with every team or individual.  If these methods are employed, a culture can be created that is motivating.

Every business owner and manager knows that motivated employees are more productive.