So, you say all we need to do is offer chocolate and an exercise class, and our employees will be happy? We wish we could say the answer to how to motivate employees was really that easy. But the truth is, it takes a lot more than chocolate and yoga (although that isn’t a bad start!).
Years ago, we found an article on Inc.com called “8 Secrets to Truly Motivate Employees” by journalist Minda Zetlin. Zetlin interviewed Michael Bird, the CEO of NetProspex, one of the Boston Business Journal’s “best places to work in Massachusetts.”
He spoke with Zetlin on how he keeps his employees motivated. And wouldn’t we all love to have motivated employees? Motivated and enthusiastic employees are usually happy and engaged in their jobs. That’s a good thing for them and us.
In the article, Minda Zetlin presents some excellent ‘employee relations’ tips from Bird for employers wanting to have truly engaged employees who want to work for your company. We found Michael Bird’s ideas full of common sense and wisdom. The best part is he focuses on showing interest in and respect for the people working for him.
Here, we’ll share four tips from Bird to help you motivate your employees. After we share the tips from the Inc. article, we’ll add two more of our own.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Bird puts it very well: Being accessible to your employees speaks volumes to the people who work for you. It shows you value them enough to check in while also establishing a friendly rapport in the workplace.
Bird suggests that as you are circulating around, take a few minutes to ask genuine questions and listen to the answers.
His point? “That’s a place where a lot of people miss the mark. They don’t want to listen. They’re just asking a question because they think they should.”
It’s okay if they make mistakes. It’s how we learn. The key is to have “constant communication,” says Bird, which allows problems to be identified quickly and then fixed.
Excellent point! How often have we had goals impressed upon us that have seemed meaningless for most employees? If the employees can help set the goals whenever possible, they will begin to own them. The result will be a more motivated workforce—one eager to work toward their goals.
Some further advice from Bird, “Settle on objectives that have just the right amount of difficulty.”
Okay, we’ve covered Bird’s tips. Now it’s time we share tips for motivating your employees with what works for us over at Two Roads.
One of the things we’ve learned over time at Two Roads is the importance of work-life balance. It’s not enough to just focus on the tasks and productivity of the team; it’s equally crucial to ensure they have adequate time to rejuvenate and spend time with their families or pursue their passions outside of work.
We encourage our employees to take regular breaks, use their vacation days, and even offer flexible work hours. This not only keeps them mentally fresh but also shows we care about their well-being outside of work.
While managerial feedback is essential, peer recognition can often be more impactful. Try to establish a system where team members can recognize and commend each other for their achievements, collaboration, or even simple acts of kindness.
This fosters a culture of camaraderie and ensures good work doesn’t go unnoticed. (Read more about the importance of good company culture here). Plus, it strengthens team bonds, and when employees feel a part of a supportive community, they are naturally more engaged and motivated.
Speaking of team bonding, don’t miss this post next on the benefits and best practices for business retreats.
Along with keeping your employees motivated and engaged, business owners have several challenging tasks on their plate on any given day. Fortunately, one such task—bookkeeping—is one we can take off your plate.
Contact Two Roads today to learn more about our bookkeeping services and the difference they can make in your business.
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This article was updated in 2023 just for you.