4 Tips on How to Motivate Your People

Fundamental to being a good leader is the ability to win people’s cooperation. Motivation is about moving people to act in a way that achieves a specific and immediate goal. When you’re motivating people to do something they may not necessarily want to do, you have to offer them something they want in return.

By following these simple steps, business leaders can increase the level of motivation as well as create a culture where change is embraced and celebrated.

1.    Align individual economic interests with company performance.

Ensuring that the individual goals and interest are aligned with the corporate roadmap will allow for a better understanding of “Why” what you are asking to be accomplished is important. This tactic helps answer the financial WIFM (What‘s in it for Me) question. Incentive compensation programs that give employees a chance to benefit when a company prospers can boost motivation.

2. Take a genuine interest in the future path of an employee’s career 

One of the main drivers in why individuals decide to stay or leave a company is the relationship with their manager. Mentoring, coaching and training are easy ways to demonstrate the value you have for an employee. When employees believe that their managers are truly interested in their careers they are far more motivated.

3.  Listen

Actively and thoughtfully listening caries a lot of weight with your employees. There is nothing more frustrating and demotivating than to have all of your wonderful ideas for improvement ignored. Would you keep offering suggestions if you felt that your manager didn’t heave the respect to listen?

4. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

The golden rule is called the golden rule for a reason. Respect your employees and the jobs they do. People are far more motivated if they believe that their manager and the organization they work for has a fundamental level of respect for their contributions.

Dale Carnegie captured the concept of employee motivation very succinctly in his famous quote “Arouse in the other person an eager want”.  People consent to help for their own reasons, not ours. If we make it clear how our ideas will benefit them, there is no limit to the cooperation we could receive.  By following these 4 guiding principles, you can successful motivate your employees and achieve your objectives.