How to motivate a staff
18 September, 2007By Andrea NierenbergIf Columbus had turned back, no one would have blamed him. No one would have remembered him either. Everyone is a major investment. Sometimes people who are poorly performing need a motivational boost. Most importantly, when you help people improve their self-motivation, you will be remembered, respected, and can take personal pride in knowing you helped someone increase their success. The key is to find a few tools that work in your particular situation and put them into your motivational toolbox.
One study of more than 1,500 employees in various work settings, discovered that the most powerful motivator was personalized, instant recognition from their co-workers and managers. It stated that if a manager simply asks for employee involvement, that in itself is motivational.
This study conducted by Wichita State University showed that the top motivation techniques are:
- Personally congratulating people who do a great job
- Writing a personal note or email about the specific job well done
- Publicly recognizing others for good work
Here are my best incentive keys that you can put to work immediately:
1. A word of thanks. A sincere thank you from the right person at the right time can mean almost more than anything. Part of the power comes from the fact that people took the time to notice and acknowledge the achievement. For example, the university study showed that 63 percent of the respondents ranked a pat on the back as a meaningful motivator. You might put a thank you note on the door or the computer screen of someone you wish to recognize. Or stop them in the hallway, just to say thank you.
2. Give praise, it pays. Tell people what they did right and be specific. Tell them how important their good work and attitude is. Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay cosmetics said that there are two things people want more than sex and money, that is praise and recognition.
3. Moments of truth. Do something that is clever, personalized and unique. Take the time to really show someone that you care. Perhaps you can create a picture wall in your office with interesting photos of co-workers at company events. You might do some research on someone's hobby and give an appropriate gift. For example, you may have a golf enthusiast and reward them with some golf lessons or accessories. Remember what gets rewarded gets remembered.
4. Be a publicist. Send information about someone's accomplishments to others and get it into the company newsletter. People like to see themselves in print and it is a positive reminder.
There are so many things you can do to provide a personal push to your people that will give that extra incentive to help them perform better. The point is to give others the same type of personal encouragement that you enjoy receiving from others.
Andrea Nierenberg, "a networking success story" (The Wall Street Journal), is the author of Nonstop Networking: How to Improve Your Life, Luck and Career. Ms. Nierenberg works with leading companies to improve interpersonal communications for management and staff. She offers keynote addresses and custom-designed programs on motivational techniques, networking tactics, and presentation skills.
Andrea Nierenberg is the founder of the Nierenberg Group, Inc., a business relationship management consultancy. She works with companies such as Estee Lauder, Lehman Brothers, and Omnicom to provide customized seminars for employee development. She has degrees in business and psychology and teaches at New York University. Nierenberg is the author of Nonstop Networking: How to Improve Your Life, Luck and Career. More information about Nierenberg and her company is available at: www.mybusinessrelationships.com.
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