How to motivate your team
Every good manager knows the secret to a successful business is happy, motivated staff. But achieving this goal is often easier said than done – especially during busy or stressful times at work. So how can you get the best out of your team? Two managers share their secrets of how to keep morale up in the workplace.
1. It’s not all about the money
One simple way to show your staff your appreciation is to give them a pay rise or a bonus. However, Hampshire contractor Sid Dajani stresses that it’s a mistake to offer this as the only “perk” of the job. He explains that his staff sometimes prefer to receive other benefits, such as opportunities for extra training or social outings.
2. Remember to communicate
Constant communication is an essential way of allowing employees alike to air any concerns and suggest improved ways of working. Numark’s learning and development manager Yvonne Tuckley says managers should make time to sit down with employees and talk about their work. Frequent performance reviews can not only be used to boost performance and efficiency, but are also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge what is working well in the employee’s role, she says. However, Ms Tuckley warns that managers shouldn’t wait for performance reviews to praise colleagues if they are working well.
3. Treat staff as individuals
Every member of staff is different, and Mr Dajani says it’s important to remember this when unveiling new benefits such as private medical care or loans. Instead of adopting a one-size-fits-all policy, he tries to offer perks and benefits that are "tailored" to each employee, which allows them to choose the benefits they want and "swap out" the ones they don't. “Nobody wants to feel left out because my ideas don't gel with their own working habits,” he stresses.
4. Create a sense of equality
It’s often easy for employees to feel undervalued or overlooked by senior management, particularly in larger companies with a large workforce. So Ms Tuckley advocates giving employees “direct access” to the company’s directors whenever they need to. This leads to a sense of “being involved in the business, feeling an integral part of a team, feeling empowered yet receiving support when it’s needed,” she explains.
5. Motivate with shared goals
Ms Tuckley notes that pharmacy colleagues that work well as a team are often motivated to become “high achievers”. To foster team-building relationships, she recommends giving staff a shared goal, such as doing something together for charity or attending training as a group.
