As the year winds down and the holidays approach, it’s a natural time for employees’ enthusiasm about work to slump a bit. Their minds are on other things, and it’s difficult to stay motivated in the face of all the distractions.
Being happy with your job regardless of the time of year depends on intangibles such as feeling like part of a team and being valued and appreciated. Use these three tips to keep your employees’ minds in the game, and their excitement levels high.
Communicate well and often.
Perhaps the most important ingredient in employee satisfaction – and management effectiveness – is ongoing, transparent, two-way communication. Create a culture of communication in which management and employees share common goals and work together to meet them.
- Feedback is a powerful motivator. Instead of waiting for scheduled reviews, offer feedback on a regular basis, whether it is positive or negative. Immediate positive feedback encourages more of the same behavior, while timely negative feedback gives people an opportunity to self-correct. And remember, it’s a two-way street. You can learn a great deal about how to improve your business from listening to your employees’ input and suggestions.
Recognize and reward.
Say “thank you” for a job well done. This should be done often and in person. Publicly acknowledging employee contributions is even better. Recent research shows that praise from immediate supervisors and attention from company leaders is just as, or more important to employees than financial rewards.
- Implement an incentive program. A major benefit is that the cost can be based on actual performance and paid out after an employee has reached a desired goal. Incentive programs make a positive impact on the company as a whole, with employees working harder to meet targets. Studies have shown that with incentive programs, performance increased at companies by 22 percent in individuals, and by 44 percent in teams.
Make work fun.
The best bosses pay attention to the big picture and create a supportive environment. They show that they care about their people by being involved in processes and by making work fun whenever possible. It pays off, as employees get a lot more done when they enjoy themselves.
- Happiness spurs productivity. By making your work environment a happier place, you take care of and encourage your team. Consider a game area with bean bag chairs and a pool or ping pong table. Or, plan social events outside the office. Getting to know one another as people helps employees to better communicate and trust each other more.
The staffing and workforce development experts at PrideStaff Fresno can help as you develop strategies to build your industry-leading team – and keep every member engaged and motivated. Contact us today to learn more!