Motivation is the key that unlocks the door to productivity. Employees who are disengaged from work are 37% more likely to miss work more often and are 60% more likely to commit mistakes.
Motivated employees have a more profound desire to excel and go the extra mile. They are more likely to meet and exceed targets, come up with more innovative ideas, collaborate more with their peers, and contribute more to the entire organization’s success.
This is why many organizations worldwide have started focusing on programs that aim to make employees feel they are valued.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to motivate your people and improve productivity in the workplace, this article is for you.
What Factors Influence Motivation?
Because a single workplace would have a mix of different personalities, each person might have different key motivators that push them to be more productive. There will always be a few overlaps though, so it’s always best to come up with several strategies that address the lack of motivation from different perspectives.
These key motivators often fall under these common factors:
- Being acknowledged and rewarded for their efforts and achievements
- Doing work that is fulfilling, engaging, and aligned with their interests
- Having clear pathways for career advancement, skill development, and learning new things
- A positive and supportive workplace culture, including effective communication, teamwork, and fair treatment
- Providing a healthy balance between work and personal life
When you find ways to satisfy these areas, employees are more inclined to deliver high-quality work.
It’s also important to consider each employee’s setup. Employees who work from home, are back in the office, or have a hybrid setup all have different pain points.
Those who work from home full-time, for example, have a higher chance of feeling isolated and getting distracted. It’s aways a good idea to dig deeper and learn how to address common struggles in a virtual setup.
On the other hand, those who are back in the office might struggle with the daily commute and tend to be more physically drained at the end of the day.
This is why it’s crucial to zero in on potential pain points so that regardless of their setup, you can create a workplace that motivates them to become more productive.
The Link Between Motivation and Productivity
Have you ever tried working while unmotivated? Every task feels burdensome and uninspiring. You procrastinate and are easily distracted. You produce mediocre output.
Eventually, time feels longer and every minute spent at work consists of checking the time and counting down the hours until you’re free.
Doesn’t sound like there would be much productivity there, right?
Not only will motivated employees do more and do better, but there is a good chance that you won’t have to worry about reducing the rising turnover rates that other companies increasingly deal with.
When employees are motivated, they are more enthusiastic about the work they do every day. They know that every task completed goes toward a greater purpose that they readily and happily signed up for.
All this leads to more productivity, high-quality output, and a better outcome for the company.
How to Improve Employee Motivation and Productivity
With the right steps, organizations can create a workplace where motivation thrives, leading to increased productivity and overall satisfaction among employees.
Here are some actionable strategies that can enhance employee motivation and unleash their full potential, paving the way to better productivity:
- Recognize employee achievements, big or small.
Employees become more motivated when they feel celebrated and recognized. Note that although a raise or a promotion could be seen as a form of recognition, there are employees who are not motivated by money or power. Conducting regular recognition events can help in this case.
Supervisors and managers should also embrace the same mindset and readily commend employees for anything as simple as completing a task ahead of time or closing a deal.
If someone delivers a big project, share a kudos in a Microsoft Teams channel. You can do the same thing when someone finishes a tough task ahead of time, or when someone finally finds a solution for an issue that has stumped the entire team for some time.
- Promote a culture that encourages feedback.
Work culture can make or break any organization. One of the best ways to create a healthy workplace culture is to get regular employee feedback. 89% of HR leaders say that the best path to success is through feedback and check-ins.
Are there processes that they feel are hindering their workflow? Do they feel that they are treated fairly? Are they given the proper amount of time to complete their tasks?
Asking them for recommendations on improving current processes is also a great way to empower employees and make them feel that they are a valuable part of the organization.
- Set them up for success.
Start by giving clear goals and expectations. This gives employees a clear endpoint in mind.
There should also be a balance between empowerment and guidance. It’s good to encourage initiative among employees, but they still need to be guided to make sure they’re taking the right path to success.
Touch base with employees regularly and check their progress while resisting the urge to micro-manage. Ask them about any stumbling blocks they encountered and find out how they resolved the issue.
Equip them with the right tools as well. Your employees may be resourceful, but that should not be an excuse to put off purchasing the right tools and equipment or providing the right updates.
- Provide growth and development opportunities.
Your employees’ growth is your own. When you have employees who continue to advance in their field, their output also improves.
Find ways to conduct training and workshops that allow them to learn something new or improve on what they already know.
Don’t be afraid that letting them learn too much means they have more leverage to go elsewhere or start their own. As long as they are happy in your workplace, they would only be delighted to give back to the organization that allows them to grow.
- Go beyond work.
Don’t look at employees in the form of numbers and data. Yes, a successful organization always makes sure that employees are meeting expectations. But remember that motivation doesn’t just come in the form of awards or monetary incentives.
Employees want to be seen as human beings who are looking for genuine connections. Plus, they want to have fun in the workplace, too! This allows them to turn their positive energy into productivity.
Encourage them to enjoy their hobbies in the workplace. Some companies have game nights, others have book clubs. Plan events that could help them with their health and wellness. Find ways to engage with their families too, especially if your employees are mostly family-oriented.
Allow your employees to expand their current social circle, too! Conduct company-wide events where people from different teams and departments can mingle. Apps like CoffeePals can automatically schedule coffee chats among employees who might not be working together on the same project, helping them branch out beyond the same people they interact with regularly. This helps break down silos and create networking opportunities in a company.
When you understand the significance of motivation and implement strategies to nurture it, expect that higher productivity will follow. This is the best way to unlock the full potential of your workforce, allowing employees to become their best selves as they feel valued, inspired, and driven to achieve greatness.
Start with something as simple as an employee matching tool like CoffeePals. It’s a great way to show your employees that they’re not just there to work and meet targets; they’re also there to build meaningful connections and be a part of a mission.
