What is the best way to motivate people at work?

Question

What do you think an employer should do to motivate people.

Answer 1

I just wink at them that usually really works

Answer 2

Treat them with dignity and respect, and they will be happy to work for you. Stress the fact that the job they do is important. It is important that as an employer you recognize they are not just there for giggles, or to make you a profit, they want to get something out of it too. Getting bonuses, even small ones will show them they are valuable to the company and their work is appreciated.
Also,I have had jobs where there are so many petty rules about every little thing, that I felt like my bosses must think I am a kid and don't really even trust me. Then I really was not motivated at all to do them any favors, because it was all about what I can do for them to make THEM a profit. If you don't trust me I shouldn't be working for you.
Now I have a very nice job where I am treated as a professional, so I and my co-workers try our best to live up to our expectations, we also are given a lot of nice bonuses for our hard work. That is why the people are there in the first place ya know...to make some money. Every little bit helps!

Answer 3

There are numerous motivational techniques. And each of us is motivated by something slightly different (ie, I might be motivated by receiving additional vacation time, but you might be motivated by receiving a bigger paycheck).

In the many classes I have taken about motivation in the workplace, the broad technique that is generally mentioned is the way you lead people. You have to define a goal that everyone wants to achieve, empower people to achieve it and respect differing ideas on how to achieve the goal. For example, your goal should be something specific like "raise company revenues by 20% this year by increasing the number of widgets sold." Make sure that the people you are trying to motivate are positively affected if this goal is reached (bonuses, profit sharing or just explaining how higher profits for the business increases their paycheck) and that they are empowered to achieve this goal. There is nothing more frustrating than your boss asking you to complete a task that you don't have the tools or the authority to complete. Try using individual experiences and expertise to assign tasks, and ensure they are equally divided amongst the team. Brainstorm with the group to come up with the best way of achieving that goal, and respect and consider all ideas.

I think the largest part of this motivational technique people struggle with is defining the goal. It should be something specific, measureable, achievable and constrained by some time frame. It should also describe how you are going to achieve the goal (in the example, this would be the "increasing the number of widgets sold," but a better example would discuss how you're going to increase sales -- gaining additional customers, increasing current customer sales, etc.).

Other great advice I've heard is to listen to your employees to understand what motivates them, or why they might be frustrated and unmotivated by the current work environment.

Good luck!!

Answer 4

Depends what kind of roles they play in the company.

I run a sales orientated business and find it difficult to motivate my staff. There was one thing I learnt many years ago while working as a car salesperson though:-

A board with all the teams sales for that month, and all the products they had sold. Everybody could see it and hate not being the best. It was awful just knowing that people thought you were crap, even if you had been on holiday for 3 weeks!

Answer 5

Encourage them to take ownership in their job and the company. Promote the idea that they contribute to the bottom line, whether they work in a small company or a large company--every job matters or else it wouldn't be there.

Give thanks when necessary, but don't overdo it. A handwritten note can mean SO much to any employee. A simple "thanks for what you do that keeps our process running smoothly" is great anytime.

Recognition is also excellent, and most prefer it to be paired with reward but what people are really looking for is the recognition that they did a good job.

Understand your employees. Don't expect everyone to be the same, and take the time to listen to what they have to say - whether it is venting about a personal issue or maybe a new idea for work. Read between the lines. Ask questions. If you show interest in your employees they will want to do more for you.

Answer 6

Treat people fairly, have little incentives for a job well done and include EVERYONE in meetings and listen to everyone. It isn't just the mangement that can think. And remember it takes everyone working together to make a team work. A decent wage also helps. but not really the most important.

I work for a very small company and 3 get bonus' and 4 do not. My last company everyone right down to the lowest worker received a bonus when bonus' were handed out. Thats what I think builds a team. PS Nice of you to ask!!!

Answer 7

Make them feel good about what they are doing.
Make them feel like they are contributing something important. Always recognize the things they do right with praise.
Give them credit for their ideas and their contributions to your ideas and success.
Be absolutely honest and fair.
Set an example for the high standards you expect.

When someone screws up, acknowledge it, fix the problem (not the blame) and move on.

Don't be afraid to get rid of someone with a bad attitude or bad work habits that do not respond to your efforts. They will drag everyone down with them.

Answer 8

This method saved our company lots of money

and also resolved our problem,

you can always talk to your employee

talk about what they want in their job to change or be added

be friends with them

treat them well as if they we're family

and if reasonable increase their salary this way they will be embarassed if they dont do their job right...

because in a way their in debt to you right....

if all of the above mentioned method fails...

you can set someone as an example

SELECT the most useless and FIRE him!!! that way they'll be scared. and be motivated working harder.

Answer 9

Log on to relationshipsfoundation.org because they are working to combine practical projects (very much in the work-place) with innovative thinking about the connections between individuals or groups. Creating trust, loyalty, co-operation and support is their aim.

For example, here's a quote from them: "We may pride ourselves on our ability to multi-task, but there is a point where multi-tasking and caregiving collide. Without a certain level of attentiveness to loved ones, people risk multi-tasking their way right out of relationships."

Answer 10

Work should be a rewarding adventure. The rewards need to keep pace with the work itself. Not all rewards are monetary, though. It could be an extra hour off with pay, employee of the month, gifts or such. Be creative but think about the rewards.

Answer 11

You just have to be as honest, fair and sincere as you can and have advancement opportunties available, based on performance.

If your business is, say contracting or a service business, you could provide a bonus for a job completed before schedule. I guarantee that this motivates people. You just need to use common sense, but forget anything beyond that.