Full Careers
What motivates you to want to do a better job at work?
I am a manager in a corporate office and am trying to help my team of 10 people motivate themselves. The only budget is out of my pocket so large financial rewards and costly recognition are not an option. Each person has a set goal and I am consistent with my feedback and communications setting aside an hour a week with each to discuss their performace, career development and any other concerns they may have. I try to be fun with our team recognition but feel that I could be doing more. Help?
Public Comments
- Money is my motivation.
- I can tell you what demotivates me. Bull shit job contracts, especially ones where they want you to give advance notice if you quit, yet they don't want to pay severance if they fire you. Arbitration clauses, why sell America out further by bought justice, and why the hell should I pay the companies arbitration costs. A positive motivator is a desire to help customers, but most places don't let you do new ideas that could.
- I personally think that the best motivation is to reward those who work the hardest and those that share their knowledge for the betterment of everyone. If there isn't money to be given then at least consider gift certificates or monthly dinners or something like that. If it's one thing that upsets me more than anything it's rewarding those that have seniority with no regard to work ethic and contribution to the company.
- Personally, what motivates me to want to do a better job is my personal quest for achievement. Everyday I set my " achievements for the day" , it can be as simple spending 10 minutes to finish boring clerical work or being more patient with my clients. I do this with the hope that these things become normal for me and then I strive for higher things.
- Well, money doesn't motivate me, but LACK of money does de-motivate me. I hate these stupid 'team-building' projects where they spend loads of money then refuse to pay decent salaries. Recognition, and fair recognition helps. Less playing favorites, and not responding to the actual needs of the employees. And face the sad truth. You can't motivate some people, but that doesn't make them bad employees.
- Instead of talking with people who consistently perform, give that time back to them. Present yourself at their station an hour before closing on Friday and send them home. Tell them you will be their cover and clock out for them at the end of the shift. For at least one hour of the week, you won't have to worry about motivation. The others will find it on their own. Good Luck.
- Buy a book call "1001 Ways to Reward Employees." It is one of the best selling management books around. Just make sure you are consistent and your employees are not going to perceive your efforts negatively. If morale is stable or high, lots of things will work. If morale is low, then it is difficult to make them happy. Try to find out what motivates each employee. Try to find out what tasks each employee really likes to do and what they hate to do. Then try to divvy up the tasks to make everyone more satisfied. Perhaps someone really likes to do something someone else hates to to. If there is a task no body likes to do, have a brainstorming session to find a way to get the task done quickly or to take turns doing it or to help each other do it. Learn about Maslow's Hierarchy of needs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needsReview . Learn about the Hawthorne Effect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorne_experiments
- All the career minded people might not get excited by the financial rewards. They would rather prefer recognition in the form of promotions, awards, certificates and an appreciation letter from the top level management. Your current working style proves that how well you manage your team. But this sounds to me that it is too carrier oriented(which is good) and you strive more towards their professional excellence. What you probably need to do it is that you should have a personal touch with them, talk to them about their families, check on their well being, and appreciate the good things about them, invite them for lunch, dinner at your place only. Give them surprises by being the first one to wish them on their birthdays, marriage days e.t.c Added to this have some awards announced to them monthly based on their performance. Actually there is no need for you to spend from your pocket instead you can utilize the allocated funds(if there any) to give away small awards. I would really get motivated when I get appreciated for my job consistently and when top level management like CEO/COO/VP/Director appreciates me by signing a postcard/letter that will be more encouraging and I would be further excited to put in extra efforts towards my job.
