The Scientific Labyrinth to Employee Motivation

by Lynn Taylor
Founder and CEO, Lynn Taylor Consulting

The command, “Just Do It!” doesn’t sit particularly well with any staff. Corporate employees need to feel a sense of belonging and a specific purpose - but how can you help them achieve this job fulfillment? They need more than barked orders if they are expected to perform well. But how can you help them achieve this job fulfillment?

In a word? Care. Corporate employees need to feel a sense of belonging and mission. They want to feel that there is a specific purpose in what they do. As a manager, it is your role to act like a hawk (but in a good way of course!)

Get to know your employees. Understand their behavior, what they do well and what makes them tick. If there is something they enjoy but rarely do, try to incorporate it into their work assignments. For instance, if Charles is a good writer and Emily is great at crunching numbers, try to find new ways that they can do these things to feel more fulfilled. If there is a local class they can take that would improve their self-confidence, wholeheartedly encourage them to take it. Whenever possible, you should actively invest in them. As their manager, the more you positively challenge them, the more they will want to produce the results you desire.

Another way to inspire your employees is through team-building and incentives. With each project, encourage your staff to work together to accomplish the goal at hand. Be involved in the process rather than check out. The more you integrate yourself, the more they will feel your presence as a team player working alongside them, rather than a manager preaching down to them. As they reach their goals, reward them for a job well-done. This can be as simple as a verbal “thank you” to throwing a team pizza party.

Finally, be understanding of your employees’ needs. If one of them has a personal emergency or their child gets sick, be as accommodating as possible. The more positive, challenging and empathetic you are, the better your staff will feel and the more you’ll win as a manager.

Now the oft forgotten secret formula for employee motivation... care... has been unearthed.