In these modern times, today’s workforce is different from the one we had ten years ago, and what motivates today’s workers will be different too.

What is Employee Motivation?

Motivation is an employee’s inherent enthusiasm and drive to accomplish activities related to work. Motivation is the internal drive that causes an individual to decide to take action.

An individual’s motivation is influenced by biological, intellectual, social, and emotional factors. Therefore, motivation is a complex force that can also be influenced by external factors.

5 Benefits of High Employee Motivation

It doesn’t matter how big or small your company is. If as a business owner your goal is for your business to succeed, employee motivation in the workplace will be one of your priorities.

This is especially true in the world where Millennials make the biggest part of today’s workforce. With new expectations, requests, and needs, an employer should learn how to adjust, because the benefits of high employee motivation are numerous.

1. They handle uncertainty better
   Because motivated employees are much more engaged, they are also more self-confident in what they do. Consequently, they know how to respond to difficult situations.
2. They are better problem-solvers
   Problem-solving skills are something most employers look for in employees. A motivated employee is not only a hard worker but is a problem-solver who does not shy away from challenges at work.

   

3. They are more innovative and creative
   When employees are motivated and engaged, they don’t just work on tasks given to them, but also think about innovative ideas that could help optimize business performance.
4. Highly Motivated Employees are proactive
   Motivated and engaged employees proactively look for new solutions to eliminate challenges, solve problems, and achieve goals. They don’t wait for feedback and often evaluate their own work.
5. They are more productive
   More motivation and engagement lead to more productivity. Companies with motivated employees are more productive than others. This research on employee motivation proved that offices with engaged employees are 43% more productive.
6. Motivated Employees understand the company goals better
   Motivated employees want to understand how their work helps the company’s overall success. When they understand the company’s vision, mission, and vision, they also understand the weight of the work they do.
7. They work towards achieving their own goals
   When an employee understands their company’s goals, they also work towards understanding their own goals and achieving them.
8. They also work towards achieving the company’s goals
   Because they understand the company’s vision and goals and are proactive about working on their own goals, motivated employees care about the company enough to help achieve the company’s goals.
9. Motivated Employees are more customer-centric
   Whether you are in B2B or B2C business, someone who is engaged in the business always cares about your customer satisfaction.
10. Stay with the company longer
    Fluctuation is one of the biggest workforce problems. Businesses with motivated and engaged employees have 87% higher employee retention rate.

How to Improve Employee Motivation

Improving the work environment is one thing, but knowing that every employee is different and motivated by different things. Here are a few employee motivation tips that every employer or business owner should follow.

1. Choose a suitable leadership style
   In understanding your employees, their needs, and how they best receive instruction and guidance, it’s important to know which leadership style they respond to the best. 

Although many businesses still practice a more autocratic approach to work, it’s been proven time and again that this kind of environment tends to be restrictive and counterproductive for most employees.
   Laissez-Faire Leadership or Delegative Leadership is a leadership style that allows employees to make decisions and take actions for which they are responsible. It’s getting a bigger following as remote working is becoming a predominant way to work.
2. Define precise but realistic goals and policies
   Managers and leaders should be responsible for assigning specific and measurable goals and objectives. Employees who have clear goals are motivated to achieve them.
3. Coach your managers
   Continuous management development and coaching are necessary to keep employee motivation at high levels. As the workforce changes continuously, so do employees’ characteristics and factors. 

Coach your managers and develop guidelines about the fair and consistent application of the rules and policies.
4. Improve internal communications
   Improving employee communications help boost employee motivation and engagement. Communicating well with your employees empowers them and makes them feel more informed and involved in the company.
5. Involve people to inspire employee motivation
   People actually want involvement in decisions that affect their work but don’t want to be accountable. When this is the case, they likely had been punished for decisions they made in the past. In this case, try to find out how you can involve your employees in decision-making and provide them the tools and resources that could make them better equipped.Also, try to check if the people involved in these activities are rewarded and recognized. If not, make sure to start acknowledging people no matter what position they hold.
6. Give structured feedback
   Feedback is necessary, whether it’s positive or negative. Continuous feedback keeps employees engaged and understands if there are opportunities for improvement.

   

7. Connect with your employees
   A good leader doesn’t just delegate tasks or engage with their employees at work, but really takes the time to get to know them on a personal level.
8. Build a positive workplace environment
   A healthy workplace environment is where people grow to trust their managers, are free to express themselves, feel valued, and have good relationships with other employees.
9. Encourage creativity and innovation
   Millennials and Gen Z employees like to be involved in different aspects of the business, especially ones that enable them to flex their creativity. Show them that you value their opinion and ideas.
10. Encourage employee development
    Implementing learning and development programs is a great way to keep employees motivated. Tracking their wins and milestones, teaching them new skills, and then promoting them to higher positions will pay off in the long run. This also keeps the employee retention rate higher.
11. Acknowledge your employees’ quality of life
    Care about your employees’ quality of life, health, and work-life balance. Highly motivated workers are also the ones who tend to get burnout, so make sure to take note that your employees are not overworked and that they’re compensated well.

If you’re a small business looking to expand and outsource people, or an entrepreneur who wants to keep your team motivated, but don’t know where to start, Sidekicks is an on-demand virtual company that provides virtual assistant services and training. We’re eager to talk you through anything you need to know about hiring a virtual assistant. Click here for your free 30-minute consultation.