People like money. However, simply giving good workers, a bonus or raise won’t keep their spirits up for long. Believe it or not: there are people who simply love doing the job they’re doing – and a large reason for that is because they feel truly appreciated in the workplace.
Dale Carnegie, in his book “How To Win Friends and Influence People” reveals that every one of us has a deep-rooted desire to feel important. Google manages this by countless micro-kitchens open all day every day throughout their offices. These positive, lasting experiences prove more valuable than a “thank you” through material items. Here are a “few” other meaningful and hugely-impactful ways you can keep your employees motivated without spending time.
- Be A True Leader
“A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.” – Thomas Carlyle
Without a supportive leader, who encourages you, you’re not going to feel as valued for your time. In the same vein, being a supportive leader–one who is trustworthy and whose ear is always open—inspires your employees. History’s greatest leaders always took responsibility for their actions, whether or not their actions led to good or bad results. How do you become a more motivating leader? By recognising your employees’ skillsets and by rewarding those skillsets. (Bonus: Once you show them your appreciation for those, give them assignments that let them use those skillsets.)
- Shower Everyone
“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.” – Allen Ginsberg
When was the last time someone you respected, admired or felt inspired by… had showed their appreciation for you? The best way to show your employees your appreciation—thereby ensuring they feel more inclined to get more work done in a shorter amount of time—is to allow them “personal expression” time. Ask your employees what do they do that makes them happiest? If possible, let them incorporate that activity into the workplace (within reason).
- Let Software Help
Depending on how you look at it: technology either hinders us or helps us. Your HR Team in particular will thank you for giving them benefits administration software. This software effectively helps them provide employees with health insurance plans and packages, effectively taking the load off their shoulders.
- Hard Work = Hard Play
The “Rockstars” of your team provide stellar results on a consistent basis; you are certain they get work done on time and is always beyond expectations. To keep these rockstars on your team, reward them with extra vacation time. This privilege is two-fold: it will motivate your best workers to keep setting the bar high, and will inspire your regular employees to do their best so they can have more time off, too.
- Spice Up The Office
Like it or not, it’s a fact of life that some of us spend 8-12 hours at the office. You can bet your bottom dollar that a room full of plain, white walls and drab, dull gray cubicles saps human energy. Colours that inspire professionalism (such as blue), productivity or creativity (purple) does more for morale than slave-driving and nitpicking. If there are various departments in the office, invite them to design/colour their own department according to how they (as a group) like.
“There’s nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.” ― Stephen Chbosky
Conclusion
Nobody likes feeling “average” or replaceable. As mentioned earlier, each one of us has a deep desire to feel appreciated. Outwardly showing your appreciation to your employees by engaging in their personal lives, or mentally stimulating them through tougher assignments and challenges, shows that you are not “just another boss.”
If you, as a boss, do not recognise and reward your valuable team for what they do, you are an average boss and you have only yourself to blame for your employees’ unmotivated workforce. (Luckily, as you’ve just learned, that can easily be changed.)
Add CEOWORLD magazine to your Google News feed.
Follow CEOWORLD magazine headlines on: Google News, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Copyright 2024 The CEOWORLD magazine. All rights reserved. This material (and any extract from it) must not be copied, redistributed or placed on any website, without CEOWORLD magazine' prior written consent. For media queries, please contact: info@ceoworld.biz
