Beyond money - motivation at the workplace

In an ideal world, work is one of the tools of self-realization of the individual, an activity that s/he enjoys, driven by inner motivation. Though this may well be the case in welfare societies, the vast majority in the world are working to be able to live on a basic level. So for many, payment is the most important aspect of work. However, even in this highly materialistic context, employees can be motivated in many other ways.

The ideal working environment not only makes work more efficient but also motivating. With lightning-fast computers, first class office technology and a pleasant, inspirational environment, it is much easier to work. Quality tools and excellent machines can be a motivational power to skilled workers, as with good tools work is enjoyable.

Employees from large companies often feel lost, as a replaceable part in the company's machine. Employees, working all day long, doing monotonous subtasks often do not really know why they are doing their job. A way to motivate them is to familiarize them with the whole production process, which will help them to place their own work in the system. In that way, subtasks, with no meaning for the first glance will become reasonable and meaningful looking at them from the bigger perspective.  Having a clear concept about what’s your job role and purpose can facilitate the emergence of the sense of security and responsibility. In that way, you’ll have more motivation to do your job.

 Although it is unlikely that employees can see how the whole company operates as a whole, individual employees know very well their own work area. It is not just for this reason that you should pay attention to their opinions, their innovative ideas, but also because attention have a motivating effect. Positive reinforcement, recognition, good words sometimes give wings.

We are social beings, spending most of our time with our colleagues usually, in fact there are some, who don’t even have other relationships outside their workplace. That is why a good work community can also be a serious motivational force. If colleagues work out well, they will help each other's work without a request, for example, willing to substitute for each other and less likely to be left out of common tasks.

Team buildings are excellent community formers, but always keep in mind the individual needs as well. Somebody who sometimes likes to have a beer with her or his colleagues after work may not be happy to attend a corporate team building exercise too. Team building requires the co-operation of leaders as well, but remember, most of the workers feel much more comfortable without the boss's presence. As a leader, it is important not to feel excluded when our subordinates sometimes meet up with each other outside working hours, rather try to  appreciate the development of their community.

An important motivational factor is the possibility of progress and development. If there is no real promotion, smaller gestures can achieve great results instead. For example, if we ask an old employee to be a mentor for new entrants, help them, check their work. Further training programs are not necessarily just costly and time-consuming courses. Even a well-crafted fire safety education can be motivating, as we can utilize it in our life.

Flexible working hours, health care, corporate crèche and kindergarten, a rest room at the workplace or a gym, rewards, benefits and attentions - can be used to motivate employees in countless ways. If we're not sure about it, let's do a poll, involve employees in planning. With a good motivation questionnaire you can find out a lot about what motivates your employees.

The essence of motivation is that they cannot be just responses to external effects, they have to originate from internal motivation. You may not doing your job with pleasure, but if you appreciate your work environment, like your colleagues, and see opportunities ahead, you'll be motivated to work.

To find the right job, it is crucial for a job seeker to know herself/himself. Her/His capabilities, abilities, team behaviour. In the framework of a one-day, practical training of the SHL Training Academy, you can master 360-degree Evaluation Methodology to get acquainted with your colleagues' strengths and weaknesses quickly and efficiently.

 

For more details, visit our website!

https://www.shl.hu/en/training-courses/360-degree-evaluation-methodology