Motivation in the Workplace

So, I have written on many interesting things. You know why? Because, in spite of all the stress and the pain that one may face at the workplace, it is the writing that motivates me. And even though it may sound cliche, but the fact remains that my motivation is drawn from my writing and vice versa. What about you? How do you stay motivated? The bigger question is to the managers and the team leads in the organizations, how do you keep the employees motivated?

While money is a major motivation to work, there are many more factors that are responsible to make an employee fond of working for the employer. Having been on both sides of the coin, I am pretty much in an expert position here. So, no matter who you are and what position you hold, it's better that you heed my words. For they come out of much concern and knowledge! Ok! That bit was too much, but I know what I am talking about, so, you can get a lot of much-needed help here.

How to Improve Employee Motivation
Many human resource officials tend to find certain phases when their best guns seem fazed. It is normal. After all, there are many factors in an individual's life, that do affect their professions as well. There are a few very simple moves on the management's side that can be done to keep the employees' motivation high enough, to be loyal and do their work regularly.

• Treat all the employees alike. If some employees are better than others, they may receive rewards and recognition, that is their right, but that does not concur with there being separate rules for them. Similarly, if certain employees are average, they need to be treated with as much respect as the ones who are better. Do not discriminate.
• Never speak ill of one employee in front of the other. Many people use this as a motivation strategy to make that one employee feel more important. However, the flip side to this is that if the employees discuss with each other, they will know that you have been speaking ill. This will create distrust in the eyes of the employee. If you can speak ill of one in front of another, it can be vice versa as well, right?
• Always remember that employees are resources and not dispensable. Avoid terminating employees, or even speaking of termination or a pink slip with the employees. Many organizations keep reminding the employees that they are replaceable and that if they don't act as per the management to the tee, they WILL be replaced. It is insulting and completely demotivating for the employees.
• Be flexible in certain policies, for the sake of convenience. Employees are human resources and not machines. One cannot be definitive in all their actions. Certain policies need to be kept flexible for the convenience of the employees. This will make them more loyal towards the organization. Like, in case an organization has a lot of female employees, let the timings be a little flexible. This will keep them stress-free. Always remember a stress-free employee is a far more productive employee.
• Management needs to contain peers of the rest of the employee sector. In a technical organization, one cannot have completely commercial management. This will lead to a gap in the thinking process. Like, a commercial manager will not be able to completely understand the workings of a technical employees mind. More so, the employees will never be able to build a rapport with the management. This, in itself is a demotivating factor in any organization.
• Never brag of the benefits that you provide the employees. Always remember that whatever it is that you are giving the employees, from the salaries, to the perks, is their right. A person does not only work in a place for the salary, they work for honor and job satisfaction as well. So, if as a manager you are providing the employees with any kind of perks, the employees deserve it. A person working with an organization is a resource to the organization, that way the salary is a resource to the person. So, whatever you do over and above the resource for the employee, will lead to productivity over and above expectation. That is, if you do it nonchalant and without any kind of taunts.

All these points definitely help the employees in an organization to feel better about working in the organization, and working with all their loyalty, and heart!

Quotes to Help Motivate You at the Workplace
You can put up these quotes to motivate employees at the workplace, to keep the employees hooked on to the work. Some are funny and corny, but a sense of humor is also motivating!

• "There's no substitute for hard work." - Thomas Edison
• "To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?" - Katherine Graham
• "I love my job, not because I am good at it, but because I don't have an option not to be!"- Rashida Khilawala
• "It is always better to do nothing and be happy, than to do something that makes you miserable. I hope you are doing nothing when you work!!"- Anonymous
• "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison
• "All work, even cotton-spinning, is noble; work is alone noble."- Thomas Carlyle
• "There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there." "- Indira Gandhi
• "Ideas are funny little things. They don't work unless you do."- Someone very intelligent.
• "Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction."- Anna Frank
• "The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."- Arthur Clark

Putting up such quotes in the office can really help. More so, having them in the mind, can also make a very great difference in perception. It can also encourage a whole wave of professionalism at work.

How to Build Motivation in Today's Workplace
Well, in today's work environment, other than the points mentioned above, a few steps can be taken to build motivation at the workplace.

• Performance bonus should be introduced from the first month itself. This will motivate the employees to keep their performance consistent from the start.
• Rewards and Recognition to performers is very vital. Fame and self actualization is a need in every individual. Feed that need by providing them with recognition for performance. This incites more self motivation and performance in the future.
• Make sure that you are aware of the employees personal goals as well. It would be unrealistic to expect a person's goals to start and end with the organization. So, let them take flight, they will find you more trustworthy that way.
• Treat the employees as resources and not objects. They know the difference and it will make a difference.
• Trust your employees by giving them certain amount of facilities like networking etc, during office hours. If their work is hindered you can revoke it. If it is not, then let them enjoy it. Trust me, they will work with more vigor.
• Make sure the salaries are at par with that in the market. In case of a inflaming economy, give higher salaries, to reduce the stress for the employees. Lesser stress, more productivity.

All these points help avoid the problem of lack of motivation at work. Treat the employees with respect and dignity. If they still evade performance, the stick can always be used. However, only if the carrot is well visible. This is where I sign off!! This has been a long one. Hope it helped. All the best!