How Can I Motivate My Staff?

By Author: Erik Sulivan
Total Articles: 43
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One of the hallmarks of an effective manager is the ability to motivate those under him or her. Successful companies recognize that mechanisms have to be put in place in order to enable their supervisory personnel to exercise this capability. The tools adopted often include a formal set of rules in a reward system wherein supervisors are given management training or briefing for their proper implementation. Employee handbooks typically contain the system's mechanics so that expectations on both supervisor and subordinate are well established.

Performance-Based Merit Increases

Corporate managers have to be more than at home with the parameters on which the performance of their staff are measured. Some tactful handling has to be exercised on assessing how specific functions were performed. This is particularly true in Asian cultures where "losing face" among peers can be a serious issue. Critical incidents related to performance also have to be accurately documented. For these reasons, it is quite important for managers to attend company training courses ...
... on merit or reward systems.

Non-Monetary Motivational Approaches

The pay envelope, for sure, isn't the only avenue by which to effectively motivate employees. Recognizing and cultivating the leadership potential or other work-related capabilities of the employees can be another approach. Exemplary performance in some major projects, for example, can be rewarded with opportunities for career advancement, which can start with a privilege to pursue project management courses or MBAs at company expense.

Some formal approaches can be as simple as commendatory letters, tokens, or gifts awarded at appropriate section or department gatherings. Having an employee of the month picked can also do wonders in motivating employees and, at the same time, highlight efforts that a unit is undertaking on customer satisfaction.

Non-Formal Methods

Social situations at the workplace can likewise be a venue for motivating employees to be productive members of a team. An impromptu or surprise party for an employee celebrating his or her birthday can be a great motivational tool as well, apart from instilling team spirit within a unit, which contributes to productivity.

Managing and motivating people, in summary, requires the right implementation of the formal policies that a corporate organization has adopted as part of running its business. Knowing the bounds of these standards and how they are best implemented will be crucial to the motivational function managers. This knowledge will likewise be a helpful guide in thinking out of the box for venues by which they can motivate their subordinates.