RightToLead.com

An employer is capable of setting the mood of the staff from the moment they step through the door.

If the employer arrives at the workplace looking and feeling as though the whole world is on his/her shoulders then inevitably, this will project itself on the staff and create the mood for the rest of the day.

Motivation starts at the top and is the responsibility of the manager, employer, leader or whoever is in charge. In this respect your body language is the first thing to use in motivating your staff. Remember…countenance is very important!

It’s important also to discuss what is required with an employee so they know what is expected of them. A few words of encouragement can work wonders, but also making them feel part of a team is essential.

If they’re doing a good job, tell them so and remember to say “please” and “thank you”. It’s surprising how much these simple words can engender respect and motivate someone.

Give staff who show sufficient ambition the opportunity of advancement by offering training in other areas of the company. The chance to earn more money or an increase in their present salary for work well done is always an incentive.

Gift vouchers are another incentive that can be offered. A project that has been completed on time and to the customer’s satisfaction can be rewarded with vouchers or an electronic reward card.

People like to know what is expected from them. Clearly outlining a project and stating what your expectations are will help them to approach their work with a clear guideline. If there are no misunderstandings from the outset then there is a good chance the work will be of good quality and finished on time.

From an employer’s point of view it’s important to know the capabilities of your staff. In order to motivate you have to be able to assess what each person is capable of and then stretch them as far as possible.

Before you start applying motivation techniques, make sure you have the right approach to any given task. Demonstrate your own commitment to the development of the Company. After all no-one is going to want to give their all, if they feel the person in charge is just sitting back doing very little.

Remember staff must always feel they are part of a team. You are the leader and must lead by example. If you project the fact that you’re interested in them, that you like them, you will get the best out of them.

Always be strong but fair, and face any problems with calmness and understanding. Nothing is ever achieved by shouting or arguing, but appreciation and opportunity in a workplace can motivate people into giving of their best.
Rewarding staff is often motivation enough. Rewards do not have to cost a lot of money. Staff could be rewarded by being given an extra day off, or their picture displayed in a hall of fame of high achievers. The bottom line is that motivated and well rewarded staff go on to achieve greater things for the company and that in turn leads to greater profits.