How can you motivate employees to reach their full potential?
Motivating your employees is one of the most important tasks of a leader. When your team is engaged, productive, and happy, they can achieve amazing results and grow personally and professionally. But how can you inspire them to reach their full potential and unleash their creativity and passion? Here are some tips to help you motivate your employees effectively.
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Melissa B.Senior HR Director, Asia Pacific & Japan at Workday
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Alex MontoyaTalent Acquisition Director | Human Resources Strategist | Diversity & Inclusion Advocate | Meta Alum
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Anishya Obhrai MadanHead, Career Services (formerly Training & Placement) at IIT Delhi at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
One of the best ways to motivate your employees is to set clear and challenging goals that align with their strengths, interests, and values. Goals help your team focus on what matters, measure their progress, and celebrate their achievements. They also provide a sense of direction, purpose, and autonomy. To set effective goals, use the SMART criteria: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. And don't forget to involve your employees in the goal-setting process and solicit their feedback and input.
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Make sure you talk with your employees and understand what their experience has been before their current position and what they are interested in doing in the future. Don't just give them projects based on what they are doing now-build on what they say they want to do and their strengths from the past. Remember that they were successful at work before now and have the potential to do so much more if they are developed in a more strategic way.
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P- raise their efforts in public. R- ecognize their contributions to any project. A- cknowledge their strengths and areas of focus I- dentify areas of interest and motivation. S- et realistic goals. E- ncourage continuous learning.
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Develop trust so that they take your words seriously . The only way to develop trust is to keep your commitments . Display what you say same you do .
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Here are strategies to motivate employees effectively: Set Clear Expectations Provide Regular Feedback Encourage Goal Setting Promote Professional Development Create a Positive Work Environment Recognize and Reward Achievements Provide Autonomy and Ownership Create Opportunities for Advancement Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork Promote Work-Life Balance Implement Performance Incentives Encourage Innovation and Creativity Promote Health and Wellness Provide Leadership Opportunities Build Strong Leadership Establish a Culture of Continuous Learning Seek Employee Input Celebrate Milestones Provide Flexibility Lead by Example
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1. Make sure that you treat your employees like your best assets and you also make them feel like assets! 2. ''Know your audience'' - not all employees are happy with the same benefits. Not all employees like Public appreciation, or private feedback. If you know your employees, you can adjust your appreciation to a way that they will also appreciate. 3. Provide career path and a ''Next Day'' to the company!
Another key factor for motivation is feedback. Feedback helps your employees learn from their mistakes, improve their performance, and feel valued and recognized. It also helps you build trust and rapport with your team and foster a culture of continuous improvement. To provide effective feedback, use the sandwich method: start with something positive, then address the areas of improvement, and end with something positive again. And make sure to give feedback regularly, not only during formal reviews or when something goes wrong.
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In my experience, like in any relationship, personal or professional, regular communication is critical. In this case, this could be feedback in the form of positive reinforcement or constructive, actionable calls-to-action. In contrast to the article, however, I would avoid the "sandwich method," which is easy to see through and as cliché as answering the "what's your biggest weakness" interview question with a strength (e.g., "I have a hard time delegating because I just care too much"). In contrast, Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People is a great resource for sharpening these skills.
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Having an open conversation with team members individually about how they like to work and learn, contribute and add insights as well as thoughts about working style and approach to goals.
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In the dynamic world of work, empowering our teams is not just a responsibility but a strategic imperative. One of the key drivers for unlocking the full potential of our employees is through regular and constructive feedback.Feedback is not just about pointing out areas of improvement; it's a compass guiding individuals toward continuous growth. Regular check-ins open the door for ongoing development, ensuring that each team member is on a path of continuous improvement.
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It is said that "Feedback is a gift", but so is fruitcake and many receiving fruitcakes as a gift use it as a doorstop. Ideally it should identify what was done well and how it will help the individual and the organization, or customers.
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In my experience discussing with many talented people looking for new opportunities, regular and constructive feedback is a cornerstone of employee motivation, and often a reason they're looking for other jobs. When team members receive timely and constructive feedback, both positive (reinforcement) and correctional/ negative, they feel acknowledged and encouraged, leading to increased job satisfaction and confidence. An open line of communication with the direct manager creates a collaborative environment where employees feel heard and appreciated.
Employees who feel stagnant or bored are likely to lose motivation and engagement. That's why you need to offer them opportunities for growth and development that challenge them and help them acquire new skills and knowledge. You can do this by providing them with training, coaching, mentoring, or cross-functional projects. You can also encourage them to pursue their own learning goals and support them with resources and time. And don't forget to recognize and reward their efforts and achievements.
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employee satisfaction and organizational success, it's essential to provide opportunities for growth and development. This can be achieved through training programs, mentorship initiatives, skill-building opportunities, and career path planning. Offering constructive feedback, challenging assignments, networking events, and recognition for achievements further motivates employees to pursue continuous learning. Job rotation programs, resource access, and leadership development initiatives contribute to a culture that values and supports ongoing professional growth, ensuring that employees remain engaged and contribute to their fullest potential.
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Offering opportunities for growth is critical in today’s work environment. The speed of change is rapid and it’s important that team members are able to consistently develop skills to maximize impact. These investments when done right help leaders scale their impact and even allow you to share your workload with your team. Thus, allowing you to take on higher level work for your next role. It’s a win win.
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Se você é um líder, traga desafios, oportunidades e dê um crédito para que a pessoa evolua. A motivação é fator intrínseco e depende da própria pessoa, porém o incentivo pode ser dados por nós mesmos favorecendo os talentos latentes dos outros.
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People grow best in areas where they have natural aptitude. Invest in growth experiences in those areas. Each person creates success using the gifts they’ve been given. There is a difference between room for improvement and potential for improvement.
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Rather than offer training & development, encourage the individual to take ownership for their own learning by asking them to suggest options of what they would like to do & how they would like to learn & develop. You maybe surprised by their original & low cost suggestions such as being mentored or shadowing a colleague for a day. If they make the suggestion & you can facilitate that, they are much more likely to engage in the learning. Ask them after: What went well? What didn’t go so well? And, what are you now going to do differently? This will ensure you maximise the ROI of that learning opportunity
One of the worst demotivators for employees is micromanagement. When you micromanage your team, you show them that you don't trust them, respect them, or value their opinions. This can lead to frustration, resentment, and low morale. Instead, you should empower and trust your employees to make decisions, solve problems, and take ownership of their work. You can do this by delegating effectively, providing clear expectations and guidelines, and giving them the freedom and flexibility to work in their own way.
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Absolutely agree! Micromanagement not only hampers employee morale but also stifles creativity and innovation. Trusting and empowering your team fosters a positive work environment and encourages individual growth. Delegating responsibilities allows team members to showcase their strengths and contributes to a more efficient and collaborative workplace.
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One thing I've found helpful is creating a culture with your team that encourages communication without fear. You never want your team to avoid you because they fear you. Feeling comfortable to speak your mind, disagree or suggest new ideas is critically important to a high functioning productive team. Build that culture and empower talent to do their work without micromanagement. Goals are met.
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In my experience humans are motivated by nature. In ancient times an uneffective member of hunter-gatherers was a burden for the tribe. All animals want to succeeds. Motivation is given by genetics and declined individually. A good supervisor, well supported from an Human Resource expert, has to find the right role according with the potential of each individual player. "Don't demotivate!" is the mantra I deliver to Supervisors. Let's show the direction and the meaning of most important tasks. To set SMART objective is only a consequence, sometimes misleading!
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People are either motivated by a lack of basic needs - which are externally provided or by a need for self-actualisation, which is intrinsically motivated. The latter could lead to achievement or full potential. Fulfillment of basic needs is required in order for people to naturally gravitate towards a need to learn and improve. Trust this natural process intrinsic to all as long as basic needs are met. And in order for people to get to that point of self-actualisation, empower them. Which means, give them autonomy.
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One of the key motivators for employees is effective management, which involves striking a balance between guidance and autonomy. When managers trust their team, respect their capabilities, and value their insights, it fosters a positive work environment. Such an approach boosts confidence, encourages creativity, and enhances team morale. I have often found active listening, offering constructive feedback, and promoting an inclusive environment where every opinion is valued, truly provides the right balance. This balance between guidance and independence enables employees to feel both supported and empowered, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
The work environment has a huge impact on employee motivation. When your team feels comfortable, safe, and supported, they can perform better, collaborate more, and enjoy their work. To create a positive and supportive work environment, you need to foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion. You also need to promote a healthy work-life balance, provide adequate resources and tools, and address any issues or conflicts promptly and fairly.
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To me this is the key aspect of this topic - as leaders you don't motivate people. That is a complete misnomer we need to recognise. True motivation is intrinsic and comes from individuals themselves. As leaders we should acknowledge that we can either create an environment that encourages that intrinsic motivation or we can create an environment that kills it. Once we can let go of the idea that it is something we do for others we will be in a much better place.
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Admit when you’re wrong and own your mistakes. You can’t hold others accountable until you hold yourself accountable. You have to set the example to create a positive work culture.
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One of the biggest problems I encounter with my clients is that excellent employees with high potential aren’t provided a stable work environment. There are managers and leaders within the structures who create high levels of toxicity in the workplace. The narcissistic type of leader and the incompetent leader. They can create a culture of fear it’s their way or you’re out. This is not a safe or professional way to run a business. It does not promote the right environment for people to thrive in. Sometimes good people don’t recognise this and think they’re doing something wrong. We need to fix this and support those impacted. Furthermore many employees suffer from mental health issues like depression and anxiety. We must support them.
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An underutilized skill that Managers do not consider when leading there teams is Coaching skills. I've learned that asking questions to understand your team's motivations, strengths, and challenges is a more effective way to lead than a directive approach. Taking a coaching approach creates an environment of learning, growth and problem solving.
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As pessoas passam muito mais tempo no trabalho do que em qualquer outro lugar. Proporcionar um ambiente saudável é muito importante. Estabelecer algumas medidas para que todos sintam-se felizes, acolhidos e inseridos na companhia faz toda a diferença. Sabe-se que funcionário que acredita na cultura da empresa, além de produzir mais, ainda faz o a promoção da marca empregadora, divulga a companhia e faz com que as pessoas ao seu redor ( até no LinkedIn) se interessem pela organização. Acredito demais que toda e qualquer ação de engajamento, que muitas vezes não custa nada, seja um investimento enorme para retenção de talentos.
Finally, one of the simplest and most powerful ways to motivate your employees is to show appreciation and recognition. When you acknowledge and thank your team for their hard work, contributions, and achievements, you boost their confidence, satisfaction, and loyalty. You also reinforce the behaviors and values that you want to see in your team. To show appreciation and recognition, you can use various methods, such as verbal praise, written notes, awards, bonuses, or public shout-outs. And make sure to be specific, sincere, and timely.
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Showing appreciation is a powerful motivator. That said, it's crucial to recognise that each individual may have different preferences for how they receive recognition. Some might appreciate public accolades, while others may prefer a quiet, personal thank-you. Understanding these differences is key to effective recognition. This approach not only ensures that the recognition feels genuine to the recipient but also reinforces their sense of being valued as an individual. It's about aligning the form of recognition with the employee's personality and comfort level. By showing appreciation can significantly enhance its impact, making employees feel truly seen and valued, thereby fostering greater engagement and loyalty.
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With over 23 years experience in the Recruitment Industry, I have noticed that even though candidates applying for a new position will often say that they are wanting to leave their current position in search of a higher salary, when you delve deeper, this is mostly not the the driving factor. Lack of work-life balance, feeling unappreciated, lack of empathy and respect and feeling unnoticed score higher on the "reason for leaving" scoreboard. Your employees have a dire need to be heard.
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Everyone wants to be appreciated but not everyone wants to be recognized the same. I have found that knowing your team and your co-workers as individuals will help shape how you respond - but I must say as leaders and just as people - not saying anything is not the way. Some want the mass email that includes senior leaders and VPs - while others like a written card saying simply "thank you". I have always found that regardless of how it is stated the fact that they are noticed and appreciated is the key. I am continually inspired by those who are passionate about what they do day in and out - getting noticed and appreciated is what keeps many of us moving forward and loving our jobs - it is who we are! Peace out!
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Motivating employees - Speak to them , listen to them , understand the difficulties they are encountering while performing their day to day tasks. Appreciate them on a regular basis , celebrate their small achievements also. Lead by example .
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Warm, genuine appreciation goes a long way in being able to bond and motivate a team. It really does make someone's day when you can reach out and offer them a pearl of gratitude - whether Peer, Manager, or Leader.
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Set a clear Career Progression path. This would motivate employees to perform and inspire them to achieve stretch goals for Career Growth.
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Transparency breeds trust! As leaders, we need to get more comfortable with sharing more of the inner workings of our business. Gen Z expects this, and frankly, we all deserve to know how our role in the company is impacting the big picture, no matter how small or low level our position may be. The best way to build trust and engagement is to take an extra 30 minutes with your team every couple of months to show them how what they're doing is making a difference
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Sometimes people don’t see their own potential so I think it’s the managers job to push people out of their comfort zones and give them the opportunity to do things they didn’t think they were capable of, but you their manager know they are. Just having you in their corner and making them a little uncomfortable can help unmask unseen strengths they didn’t use or see in themselves. I’ve done it and it’s magic when it happens.
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To be clear motivation is an intrinsic process. This is not something anyone can do to another person. All we can do as a manager or leader is listen carefully to individuals to understand their needs and what will best motivate or engage them in their work right now. But be aware this changes with time and circumstance. Challenge, stretch, visibility and autonomy might be exactly what you do not need if you, or a loved one are unwell or experiencing significant change in your personal life. As always human beings are complex - there is no simple answer because people are not simple. Leadership is tough and great leadership majors on empathy, listening and adapting. Not simple ‘models’ or ‘steps’.
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I generally start with inspiring the team to do something meaningful with their lives. if they are choosing to be in this industry and giving their 10 hrs of life to it.. Then they should definitely be great at what they do.. Else leave this job and do something which they like... By this alining life & career triggers people 👍
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