How to motivate your staff
Ensuring your staff are motivated and stay that way is an
important part of running a business. This guide looks at what
skills and tools to use to make sure you keep your staff involved
and happy.
- Why is motivation is important
- Make people feel valued
- Lead by example
- Training and personal development
- Communication
Why is motivation important?
Motivation is important because even at the most basic level, it
costs more to replace staff than to keep them. Staff liked to feel
needed and respected and keeping them happy means they'll stay with
you for much longer. Remind yourself that even in tough times; you
need to keep motivating your staff high on your list of
priorities.
- Make staff feel respected
- Check on your staff regularly
Make people feel valued
Hopefully your staff are performing well and helping drive your
business forward. In that case, you should be letting them know how
much you value them on a regular basis. Whether you tell them or
buy them a slice of cake both work equally well. It shows
you've thought of them and if you can afford to splash out on
weekly drinks - then do so. If you're staff enjoy socialising with
you as much as working with you, then you're doing something
right.
- Incentivise your staff by with social events
- Let your staff know how much you value them
Lead by example
It's important that you lead by example when dealing with staff,
if you expect to your team to stay late, then you should stay late
too. Likewise, if you don't want staff rolling in at 11am on a
Monday morning, then make sure you're at your desk bright and
early. It's not just about working hours though, show you staff
respect and you'll (hopefully) get it back. They'll also pick up on
the way you speak to people and act in different circumstances, so
make sure you're behaving how you'd like them to.
- Don't expect your staff to do what you won't
- Have firm leadership qualities
Training and personal development
Investing in your staff is important, not only will it mean
you're getting the best and most up to date in the business but
they'll be grateful for being able to develop under your watchful
eye. Make sure you fully research courses to send your staff on to
get the full potential. It's also important to get feedback from
staff on how they feel the courses benefitted them.
- Set aside money to spend on training courses
- Fully research courses
- Get feedback from staff
Communication
Communicating with your staff should be high on your list of
priorities. Most staff like a visible boss - one they know they can
go to with problems. It's important that you hold frequent job
chats to make sure they're happy, getting on ok and aren't confused
about anything. Aside from this, make sure you communicate with
your staff on a daily basis. Saying good morning and good night are
simple motivational tools but can make a world of difference.
- Have regular chats with your staff
- Communicate daily however insignificant
- Make yourself accessible
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