Ask These 5 Questions to Boost Employee Motivation
Have you ever felt like getting your employees to go the extra mile for your company was about as painful as having a tooth pulled? Even if you hire the best employees, each person operates with his or her family and individual needs in mind first. Using these individual needs to enhance the drive of each of your employees is key to getting the best output possible on your projects.
Here are five questions to ask while you aim to keep your team energized and boost employee motivation in the workplace:
1. What makes them feel significant?
Everyone wants to feel as if the work they do is significant to a greater good or cause. Whether that cause is making your company money or making your customers’ day, you must understand what makes them feel significant in the workplace.
2. What do they need to get the job done?
You must equip your employees with the tools needed to perform their best work. These tools change depending on the job and the person. Ask each employee what she needs from you to get the job done to the best of her abilities. Give it to her and then get out of her way. Giving your employees the tools and room to perform their best work is empowering.
3. How does each employee fit into your company’s bigger vision?
Your company hires your employees for a reason. You need each person’s talents and skills to meet a bigger goal. Share your company’s overall goal with each team member and explain how she fits in. Show her the impact her work has on your company’s grand plan. The more she sees where she fits in and the importance of her work, the more motivated she’ll feel to follow through.
4. How does each employee like to communicate?
Some people like to communicate in person on a regular basis to go over the details of each project, while others prefer to have quick check-in meetings via the telephone. Communication styles vary greatly. Understanding how your employees like to communicate will make it easier for you to reach each one individually and keep the drive strong.
5. How does your employee respond to criticism?
It’s bound to happen. Something your employee does isn’t quite right. You might disagree on how the work should be completed, or you might have differing views on the project as a whole. No matter what type of critique you are each giving, knowing how the other person responds will help you plan your approach. For some people, blunt feedback is preferred so they can get back in the game faster. For others, it can stunt their progress and weaken their drive. For these people, you’ll need to take a different tone and attitude.
The Takeaway
Each person is different. Each person is driven by their own individual goals. Knowing and understanding your employee’s needs is the key to keeping them engaged and boosting their drive to work hard for your business.
How do you get your employees motivated?
