10 Tips to Keep Motivated Employeesby Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSPNumber 6Encourage Creativity And Laugh At MistakesWhen employees aren't afraid to take risks, their creativity will soar. Feeling "in" on things is still a major concern of employees. They have great ideas, yet are afraid to voice them. This is such a waste of possible solutions to key challenges of a company. Front line employees have a different perspective and must feel comfortable to share their ideas. Encourage this creativity on a regular basis. Les Wexner from The Limited has meetings called "The Hall of Shame," where he tells his employees the biggest mistake he made during the week. He then asks each employee to reveal his or her biggest mistake, and encourages them to describe how the entire group can learn from that mistake. This idea works wonders when the leader begins the process. The question following this exercise is, "What did we learn from it?" Make sure to add some fun in order to make people feel comfortable with this idea.Number 7Empower Eemployees To Feel LiberatedManagers and employees need time alone, time to think creatively. Intense and important work requires reflection. Companies that are obsessed with productivity usually have little patience for the quiet time essential for profound creativity. An element of fun lifts morale and increases productivity. Have each employee bring in his or her favorite dessert one day, and listen to the laughter begin. Ask them what they need to do in order to improve morale.Number 8Help Employees Feel Comfortable With ChangeLearn how to start over and let go of ideas that may have worked in the past, but are no longer effective today. Remind your team that status quo is the kiss of death. We need to constantly look for new ways of doing business. The minute that someone says how good you are is the minute you need to improve. Companies that fail start believing in their own hype! Confront today's challenges while simultaneously probing new opportunities. Eat change for breakfast, lunch and dinner!Number 9Insist That Employees Always Keep The Customer In MindYou have a lot of competition. Make sure your employees know why customers keep signing your contracts. Realize that curiosity will always lead employees down new paths. Ask employees "How can we exceed our customers' expectations by knowing their needs, emotions and wants?" Get employees involved with customers. This way employees feel like part of the team. They will be able to get into the customer's shoes and hear what "keeps them up at night." They can take the ideas back to the team and figure out how to go the extra mile to help the customer. An employee with a customer focus will naturally be creative and intuitive.Number 10Keep Employees Focused On Their Cheerleaders And FansHave your employees make a list of ten clients or co-workers that are thrilled with them and the way they conduct business. Ask your employees to figure out new ways to service their clients to help them in any way they can. Employees will shape their own future as they build relationships with their fans.ConclusionThese ten tips will WOW your customers and make your competition drool. Your employees will feel like they are part of the company, as they come to work energized and full of passion. Have fun being an intuitive and creative leader. Encourage others to follow in your footsteps. Don't be surprised if YOU end up falling in love with your job again.Please feel free to send me your favorite tips that keep your team motivated. I will reward you with a free gift. E-mail any questions you may have to joyce@joyceweiss.com or call 1-800-713-1926. Mail your tips to: Joyce Weiss, P.O. Box 250163, West Bloomfield MI 48325-0163. |