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How to Motivate Others
Many management gurus and authors have stated that it is impossible to motivate others. They argue that only individuals can motivate themselves. While I believe this to be true, I know that a parent and leader can create an environment where a child or employee will feel the energy and excitement to motivate themselves. Read below for six tips on how to create that inspiring environment at work or home:
- Show them the meaning of their work. While they may not be saving lives or building the Taj Mahal, each person plays a significant role in the greater picture. If they are producing a widget, how does that widget help the company and the end consumer? If they are mowing the lawn, how does that really help the family? It is important to not assume that they know how meaningful their work is....oh, and don't forget to tell them periodically because they can lose this insight in the details of their daily work.
- Be clear on what is expected of them. They need to know the top 3-5 tasks that are most critical in their position and they should have great direction, support and tools to accomplish those tasks.
- Ability to measure their performance in each key area. By showing them what data is important to measure and letting them measure on their own, you will instantly create the drive to produce, if the first two tips listed above are followed.
- Fully listen to them. What I mean here is to stop what you are doing, listen with empathy and paraphrase back what you heard. Often they only want to vent or share their experience, but many times they are needing more direction or support from you.
- Recognize their work. Some of the simplest ways of acknowledging their great work is in front of co-workers by being very specific and sincere in what the employee did well, or by writing a thank you note that outlines the specific things the employee did that were impressive. Do you hear my emphasis on being specific? Being general in your praise, "Thank you for all you do," can actually backfire and demotivate an employee because it feel insincere like the manager knows they must do this and is just checking it off their list.
Question: Do you find your employees or yourself walking through the day in a "zombie" state with little energy and low productivity?
Call to Action: In working with your employees make sure you gain competency in the six items listed above. If you are an employee that does not get these items from your boss, learn how to ask for what you need by starting with how your work fits into the bigger picture, getting clear on expectations and measurements and letting your boss know what your greatest achievements are...in case they don't notice.
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About Us
Diane Amundson is the owner of Diane Amundson & Associates. She has been training, speaking and consulting for over sixteen years in the areas of leadership, creativity, generational diversity, team building, sales communication, conflict resolution and strategic planning. She has worked with Fortune 500 Companies like General Mills and Pepsi Cola along with numerous school districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She has co-authored a book titled Success Strategies: A High Achiever's Guide to Success. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and has served as Adjunct Professor of Organizational Behavior at Winona State University.
She is a Rotarian that has traveled the world on humanitarian projects in Mongolia, India and Brazil.
Her style of speaking is informative and highly interactive.
Diane Amundson & Associates
Phone: (507)452-2232 Fax:(507)452-0090 24456 County Road 9 Winona, MN 55987 |
