And just like that, we’ve wrapped another financial year and we enter into the second half of 2022. Motivation may be dwindling in your team and addressing it can be a tricky thing. It’s easy to talk about how important it is to motivate your team, but how do you go about doing that? After all, as a manager, you don’t have magical powers—you have to inspire your team by not just talking the talk. But what exactly does that mean? This guide will help you understand what good leaders say and do to motivate their teams, so you can apply those strategies in your own work life.
Know where you are going.
You need to know where you are going. You have to have a clear direction and a plan of action, otherwise, your team will feel like they are just aimlessly going along with the flow. Often, we think we have a strategy in place, but then as time goes on and things change, it’s easy to lose focus and become complacent in our efforts. By having an understanding of what success looks like for your organisation and how each person on your team can contribute towards that goal, each person will feel more motivated when they know their role is important and valued by management.
Talk about it.
Communicating effectively is a vital skill for business leaders. You can inspire your team, motivate co-workers and customers, and manage projects by communicating well.
Communication is one of the most important aspects of any business or organisation. Your ability to communicate clearly will further your career goals and help you achieve success in all areas of life. If you want to improve as a communicator, start by learning how to use active listening skills when speaking with others.
Active listening involves paying attention while someone else speaks so that you understand what they’re saying before responding with your thoughts or questions. Active listeners can facilitate productive conversations because they give their full attention during a conversation instead of just waiting until it’s their turn again before speaking up.
Get everyone on the same page.
It’s important to explain the importance of getting your team on the same page. This means that you and your fellow employees know what the company goals are, what each other is working on when projects are due and so forth. When everyone is in sync, it makes it easier for them to work together as a team instead of going off in different directions.
When you’re working on a project with someone else, being on the same page can help ensure that everyone has the same understanding of what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Being on the same page also prevents potential conflicts down the road like a miscommunication between teammates or arguments over who should do which tasks first or last (or even just simply being able to get along).
Take action.
The best way to keep your team motivated is to take action. Don’t just talk about it, do it! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, fail and ask for help or advice. You needn’t fear asking for forgiveness either!
Reframe negativity.
Reframing is a technique that allows you to change the way you look at something. It’s also a great way to help your team maintain motivation, especially when they’re feeling discouraged.
One reason people get demotivated on their teams is that they feel like they have had nothing but negative feedback. If this happens frequently, it’s hard not to start feeling down about work and lose motivation in general. But by reframing negative comments in a positive light, you can help keep your employees motivated and happy while doing their best work.
For example, imagine your colleague saying “I’m terrible at this task.” Instead of saying something like “no one is good at everything,” which just reinforces their belief that they aren’t good enough for the job, try turning this statement around by asking them what else makes them great at their job:
- What does that talent look like? How does it affect others? How are these skills important for our company?
- Are there any other accomplishments from earlier in our professional relationship where you have demonstrated these skills well?
Be open to change.
You cannot control everything. You can’t predict the future, you can’t control other people, and you can’t control the economy or the weather. The best leaders are those who can adapt to change quickly. They learn from their past experiences and make adjustments so they are ready for whatever comes next.
Your team members must know you will be open to change as well so they don’t feel like they have to protect themselves at all costs by not speaking up when they see an opportunity for improvement or a new direction in a project or task at hand.
To be able to take advantage of opportunities presented by change requires flexibility and adaptability on both sides—from you as manager/leader AND from them as individual contributors within your organization/team!
Manage your energy and stress levels.
You should check in with yourself regularly to assess how you are managing your energy and stress levels. Stress, if not managed, can be a huge drain on your mental capacity and ability to focus. If you find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take some time yourself to relax by meditating, exercising or just taking a walk outside with no technology (no phone, watch etc.). You can also try writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal so that they don’t get buried inside of you where they will cause more trouble.
Encourage one another.
To encourage your team, you have to be willing to go above and beyond. You should be open to new ideas, change, new challenges and opportunities. You should also be willing to try new ways of doing things. This will help them understand that you are there for them when they need it most.
Motivation is a key part of running a successful team, and it’s important to keep it going. If your team members are motivated and engaged, your business will be more successful overall. By following the tips above, you can help your team members stay motivated throughout their time working with you—and keep them coming back for more!
