Productive employees are the key to a successful workplace: they work hard to collaborate with coworkers, add to the synergy of your team and generate a strong end product. Perhaps you have an employee who is usually a good worker, but may need additional motivation on a particular project. What can you do to provide encouragement without offending the employee, or worse—making him feel scolded? It’s easy.
Let your employee tell you for himself what he needs from you to be successful. One-on-one, ask your employee a few important questions:
- On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being “not at all” and 10 being “very”), how eager are you to begin this assignment?
For an employee that isn’t too keen on an assigned task, this question opens the lines of communication. You’ll be able to get more information about how you can help the employee succeed. If she chooses a 1 or 2, move onto the next question. If she chooses a number higher than 2, ask why she didn’t choose a lower number. You’ll help to uncover “hidden motivation” and help her develop her desire to complete the project. - How can I make this task easier for you?
If your employee answers 1 or 2 to the above question, you’ll want to understand more about what is holding her back. She may have an unspoken complaint she hasn’t voiced about a coworker or your management style. Or, she may simply need clarification or additional information. Whatever the reason, getting her concerns out into the open will prevent future issues and help you give her the tools she needs to accomplish her assignment. - How do you prefer to be rewarded?
After all, nothing is quite as motivating as the ultimate goal: being rewarded. Once your employee accomplishes the present task, he will need to begin another, and then another. To continue to build motivation, understand what your employee is seeking. Possible answers include recognition, job advancement, a salary increase or bonuses; however, motivators such as dress-down days, working from home or extra paid time off may also be enticing.
By asking your employees the right questions, you can gauge what they need from you to succeed. It’s important to keep open lines of communication; it helps you maintain a management style that works, and a team that is continuously productive.
Motivating your employees is essential to ensuring long-term organization success. The expert recruiters at Snelling Georgia Group are happy to help! Contact our team of experienced staffing professionals for more information on how a partnership with our staff can help you find motivated and qualified employees.
