Higher salary? More bonuses?
It has been proven over the past decade that financial benefits are not the main drivers for employee motivation. Inarguably we all need to pay our bills, provide for our families and sustain a certain lifestyle.
But when these needs are met, is this sufficient to make employees feel engaged and motivated to come to work every day?
This is where many companies have realized that there are more drivers to employee motivation than just financial perks.
Health and Well-being
Another way our body needs rest is to take time off work. Companies have underestimated the effects of leave days on the productivity of employees, worrying more about the quantity of work rather than the quality of it. Our bodies need time to recharge and rest. Taking time to relax and refocus not only give us more energy but can allow us to be more creative. Flexible working hours have also proven to be a benefit that helps to boost engagement. According to the recent study by Harvard Business School, flexible working hours “increase employee productivity, reduce turnover and lower organizational costs.”
Corporate Social Responsibility and Teamwork
Just as working as part of a team can feel very rewarding to an employee, volunteering to the community is a big inspiration for employees to add meaning to their everyday work and knowing that they are working towards a good cause.
Make Employee Recognition a Habit
Small acts of thankfulness and employee appreciation can go a long way and create a ripple effect. This is how as a leader you can encourage your employees and improve your company culture. With reinforcing the act of recognition, it will eventually start coming up naturally in people’s conversations.
Setting Inspiring Goals and Visions
Setting the right, inspiring objectives are key to success, increased motivation and reduced employee turnover.
As long as the objectives defined inspire your employees and are executed correctly, there is hardly any chance for failure.
Setting objectives is in itself a process and needs to be examined and brainstormed carefully before reaching the end result. Many organizations are setting goals incorrectly, and many more are not setting objectives at all. Some may even be achieving their goals but leaving employees disengaged because of a lacking sense of purpose.
Focusing on each of these aspects will create a holistic, satisfying and motivating experience to increase employee productivity. The key is to continuously obtain feedback from each initiative to test what works and what doesn’t with your organization. If you are a leader reading this, don’t forget to fuel up and drive your own motivation first, and then taking the leap to drive others.
