By Jim Mikula, President/CEO
Whether you’re talking about doing well in school or doing well on the job, engagement is a significant key to motivation. You can think of engagement as the emotional investment a person has in an endeavor whether it be work or school or volunteering or even a project. Motivation can be thought of as the drivers of to do the work – intrinsically, that could be the satisfaction of doing it while extrinsically, it could be a paycheck or recognition.
Individuals, teams and organizations thrive when people are engaged and therefore motivated. Engagement is a two-way street. The engagement of an employee or volunteer or student or child is highly dependent of the emotional investment in them by their employer, leader, teacher and parents. Here are some strategies that you can use to motivate the best outcomes for success.
Purpose and Meaning
Understanding the goal or purpose of the work at hand can drastically boost motivation.
An often quoted, but perfect example of this is when President John F. Kennedy asked a janitor at NASA headquarters, “what do you do here at NASA?” The janitor responded,
“Sir, I’m helping to put a man on the moon.” Understanding the bigger picture goal of an organization or the hopes and dreams you have for your child’s future can make all the difference in keeping someone engaged and on track for success.
Foster a Positive Environment
A positive work environment is essential for employee motivation. The same is true for a classroom, a volunteer organization or homelife. Encourage open communication, celebrate successes, and create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels valued.
It is important to treat each other well just as they would for their best customers or best friends.
Show Appreciation and Gratitude
Expressing gratitude through simple gestures like "thank you" or public recognition can significantly boost employee, volunteer or a family member’s morale. Hard work and dedication should be recognized, which can be as simple as a heartfelt thank you or a small token of appreciation.
Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Most people find it easier to define and achieve success if they have clear goals. Many of us use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to help employees understand what they are working toward and how their contributions fit into the success of the business. There is no reason why these SMART elements would not apply to education, volunteer organizations or other situations. Whether SMART goals or other means of measuring success, it is important to regularly review and adjust the goals to keep teams focused and motivated.
Encourage Teamwork and Creative Thinking
Teamwork fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose. This is true for any organization and for all ages. As a leader or mentor, encourage collaboration and allow employees/volunteers to express their creativity by contributing new ideas to projects. This boosts morale and can lead to innovative solutions that can drive business growth. And don’t forget that teamwork and creative thinking benefits families, too!
Other Tools for Business
Incentives can be powerful motivators. Consider offering employees bonuses, gift cards, or other rewards for meeting specific targets or milestones. These tangible recognitions also give employees something to strive for.
Motivating employees is not just about boosting morale; it's about creating a culture that supports growth, innovation, and success. By implementing these strategies, small businesses in our community can unlock the full potential of their teams and thrive in today's competitive market.
In a future column I’ll write about building culture in your organization. As Peter Drucker stated, “culture eats strategy for breakfast”.
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