Many executives and managers question how to better motivate their employees. Each employee is motivated by a variety of different incentives, so it is important to find out what is of value for each person. Research shows that people often leave an employer because they haven’t received the recognition they want, or the feedback on how they are doing. Designing a positive, employee-driven motivation program will work with some of your employees, but what do you do for the others?
Leaders continue to look for ways to boost morale. Many organizations feel that if you want innovative and unique ways to boost your employees’ morale, just ask them.

Since many employers don’t have the time to write the specific questions and survey their employees, don’t know what specific questions to ask, or don’t want to take the time to write, conduct, and evaluate a survey, here are some ways I believe you can more easily boost your employees’ morale:

Get Your Employees Involved:

Typically, your employees want to get involved in their jobs and be part of the success and progress of the company for which they work. Asking your employees to set their own job goals, as well as having them suggest more efficient ways to do their jobs, is an excellent way to find out how they can manage their own jobs.

Consider forming an Employee Advisory Group within your organization. This group would include both employees and managers, and also someone from the executive staff to oversee and report back to the company executives. This is where employees can express their thoughts and feelings, and also talk about ideas of the work they do and how to better and more efficiently get things done.

Communication:

Effective employee communication can have a positive impact on the company’s productivity. Make sure your employees are included in all communications, especially in policy decisions and any changes taking place. Successful communication requires listening. Listening to your employees shows that you have an interest in them.

Job Satisfaction:

According to The Wall Street Journal-Career Journal.com (July 13, 2005), nearly eighty percent of employees are satisfied with their jobs. Three factors that contribute to employee longevity are (1) being challenged in the work they are given, (2) being given increased responsibilities for the work they do, and (3) getting training in new skills to help them complete their tasks more efficiently and give them room for promotion.

Satisfaction on the job is just as important as getting the recognition for completing the tasks assigned. Otherwise, boredom sets in and your employees will do the minimal effort just to get by. Allow your employees to get creative in how they complete the work. You will find that this will also help on a company-wide basis.

Next month, we will explore some other tools and techniques to boost your employees morale and overall productivety in part two of this column.