Employees are the core of any business; without them, a business could very easily crumble and fall apart. This is why it is so important to keep your employees happy and motivated whenever possible. No matter if you run a small or a large team, every person within that is an integral cog to the company and will appreciate feeling valued and appreciated. When they feel good, they want to work hard and when they work harder your business is more successful. The past year in particular has been very tough for most employees, with many having to work from home when they haven’t before and having to adapt to a new working situation. The climate has also meant that many have suffered from mental health problems or health problems if they have caught Covid. If you are looking to boost the morale of your staff and help them to get their mojo back, here are some top ways that you can motivate your employees…
Ask about their career goals and progression plans
Most employees will always be working towards a greater goal and wanting to work their way up the company. It is important that you speak to your staff and find out what their goals and plans are. You can find that staff will feel unmotivated if they are working hard to try and reach a promotion but this isn’t acknowledged further up. Or if they don’t know what they need to do in order to achieve the position they really want. If there is something specific they need for a promotion, be sure you speak to them about it and help them to achieve this. If they need further training or to learn something within the company, put them on a course or buddy them up with someone who can teach them.
Check in with them regularly
The past few months have been difficult ones and some of your staff members might be suffering with their mental health. It can be a big morale and motivation boost if you check in on them personally and let them know that you support them and are there for them if they need. You could send links or phone numbers for mental health professionals in case any of them need it and allow time off (at your discretion) if it is needed. It is also a good idea to speak to your staff over the phone sometimes, rather than just via email all the time. When you are not able to go into the office, the lack of human communication can feel lonely, so a phone call can help your employees to feel connected and motivated. Dee Agarwal, entrepreneur, founder, and former CEO of online retail giant NoMoreRack.com says “As a leader, you feel like all eyes are on you, and everyone on your team is waiting for your answers and guidance,” So make sure you give them what they are expecting or wanting.
Acknowledge their work
There is little more demoralizing than working hard on a task only for it to go unnoticed or unappreciated. If a staff member takes their time on a project and you are to praise or reward them for it they are much more likely to put the work in and do this again. If the opposite happens then they may wonder what is the point and won’t want to put in this same level of effort. You could praise them in your next staff meeting, email them to say thank you, or give them a call. Just knowing you acknowledge what they have done is a great motivator
Offer spontaneous perks
While rewards that are expected or known about by employees are definitely appreciated, sometimes the spontaneous perks are appreciated that little bit more. If you think everyone has been working super hard one week, why not tell them at lunchtime that they have the rest of the afternoon off? Or you could send them all a small gift such as a bottle of beer or fizz in the post. It is these small gestures which really shows that you care and appreciate them and will make them feel more motivated.
These are just a few ways that you can help to motivate your employees. Remember that times are tough for everyone and even if you can do something small for them it will be greatly appreciated. Which of these top ways you will use to motivate your staff? Or have you ever been motivated by something an employer has done for you? Let us know in the comments below.
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