Be A Real Boss – Motivate Your Employees

When you’re the boss, things can be tough. You want to be empathetic and part of an equal team with your employees, but you still need to command authority and respect. So what do you do when you your employees aren’t being productive and efficient and working up to their potential? As the boss its on you to make sure that they are getting work done, or it’s their jobs – and yours – potentially on the line. The only thing to do in this case is to find a way how to motivate employees. There are several steps to being effective in employee motivation, but if you make an effort, you’ll see an uptick in work productivity and group morale.

As a leader, you’re not likely going to want to acknowledge failure internally but this is one of the most important aspects to consider when you’re trying to motivate employees. Whether or not you realize it, it may in fact be your leadership style or communication technique that isn’t effective. Being self critical can be a major asset when you are trying to assess workplace issues, so take a minute to assess your interactions with your employees and be aware that the process of how to motivate employees will also require some self-betterment. Keep in mind that enthusiasm and a true belief in the team you’re leading is an absolute must.

Create a goal for the changes you’d like to see in your workplace. It’s one thing to tell employees they need to change and another to provide them with constructive goals and steps on how they meet the productivity and participation markers. Also, make it worthwhile for them. This doesn’t have to mean a tangible reward, but help employees invest in the company and give them a real applicable reason that the changes are needed. And work on people’s strengths, pairing them with other employees or in other areas where they will work their best, in order to have the largest impact. In order to know what an employee’s strengths are, you need to be sincere in your interest in them as both an employee and as a human being. They make mistakes, they triumph, they all have a unique story, and tapping into their individuality will go a long way with employee motivation.

Once you’ve become invested in your employees and have set up clear markers of progress and success, acknowledge when there are positive results and coach people when they’re not where they need to be. As a leader you have a depth of knowledge and experience that allow you to be an effective coach to an employee who is growing in the company or in your field in general. Being a leader also requires a high ethical standard that you must exhibit in order to expect it in return from your employees. Sticking to your beliefs and policies in the workplace is one way to do this.

At the end of the day, change in the workplace starts with you as a leader. Work hard, lead well and you will see work and employees that are productive and happy.