Key motivational practices
Managers and leaders need to develop a skill set which will enable them to create the right environment within which a member of staff will be motivated.
Remember, people have to motivate themselves; managers can’t motivate people anymore than they can empower them. However, managers can and should set up an environment where they best motivate and empower themselves. This environment needs to include at the very least the following:
- Support and encouragement
- Access to training and development opportunities
- Feedback on performance
- Praise
The key for managers is knowing how to set up the environment for each of their team members.
How to Motivate the Team
Everyone is motivated by different needs but generally when staff feel good about themselves, the work they do, and the organisation they work for, it is much easier to gain their cooperation.
Here is a list of ways in which managers can extract the very best out of team members which is of benefit to them, you and the organisation as a whole.
- Involve team members in the decision-making process. If not deciding what is to be done, then how it is to be done, or when or in what way, by whom. Let their participation increase over time.
- Keep people informed. Eg on changes that can directly affect them such as policy changes, procedure or rule changes etc.
- Be aware of the morale level of your employees. Be sensitive to changes in morale. Know when and why it goes up or down.
- Maintain an open-door policy. Be approachable, available, and interested, not distant.
- Develop a caring attitude. A good manager trains, develops, counsels, guides, and supports their employees.
- Be sure to listen. Always listen to and try to understand what employees are communicating.
- Outline job responsibilities. Make certain that team members know exactly what is expected of them and how their performance will be evaluated.
- Always treat employees with respect. Be thoughtful and considerate of the person you are dealing with.
- Ask for suggestions. Be sure to invite suggestions and new ideas from team members concerning work. Be willing to put good ideas into action by making changes.
- Give feedback. An effective manager gives feedback on performance and achievements and does not criticise, blame or personally attack others.
- Give recognition. Give appropriate praise and recognition for a job well done.
- Maintain high standards. By involving team members in establishing high standards of performance, you will build their pride and self-confidence