Motivation is energy to act and it is a complex subject which is affected by many diverse practical and emotional factors, some of which are conscious and others which are hidden. Some people are motivated by a 'carrot' and others by a 'stick', and when the chips are down, carrots can be in short supply and this approach only works temporarily.

In tough times, organisations more than ever need to motivate employees to work harder, relying on their discretionary effort, often unpaid overtime. This can be a challenge when they are feeling tired, stressed and may be the only breadwinner in the household.  

In a climate of redundancies, salary cuts and uncertainty, the motivation of employees is understandably detrimentally affected, and yet the best companies seem to take their employees with them and inspire in them greater loyalty and enhanced motivation.

So what is their secret? The secret is to make them feel special and their contribution acknowledged, like they have influence and control, and to give them a sense of belonging in an open culture of trust. Giving employees attention doesn't have to cost money, but it does take time and thought to tailor it to the individual, or it can miss the mark.  

Energise offers a range of services to help you successfully overcome human capital challenges.  These include HR mentoring, career strategy, executive coaching and talent engagement research and consulting.