Motivating your team
Motivating your team can be a big challenge as a manager, we have come up with some tips on how to help.
Adjust your approach
A one-size-fits-all won’t work when it comes to motivation, your team are individuals. The same approach won’t work for everyone. Knowing your team members on a personal level will help with this. You may have some that are self-motivated but others may need some help. Listening is the best way to find out what they need from you as a manager.
They will all be motivated in different ways. Some driven by achievement, need to be recognized by their work. Some like a team that works well and compliments each other. Others want to trust and friendship. Once you know how everyone is motivated and what motivates them you can start to structure the environment.
Leadership skills
As management, employees will look to you for leadership and guidance. Your actions and attitude will mould those in your team. Your team will tend to reciprocate how you treat them. If you start to take a longer lunch or time out for personal activities, your members will start to follow suit.
Communicate your expectations with them, you hired them knowing they can do the job. Remember to let your team know if you as a team are performing well. But, if your team isn’t performing well, hold them accountable. Challenge them as a team, question and discuss how to change to improve performance. If there is an individual who isn’t performing well let them know in private.
Grow your team
Give your team members the opportunity to test their abilities. Push them, you know them and what they are capable give them the opportunity to show this. Give them a chance to make a decision. Build their strength and skills sets. Provide them with the training they need. You should also give them the opportunity to grow as a team as well.
Your leadership and attitude can make a difference in your team. But this can be hard if your team isn’t excited or involved. Provide them with opportunities to succeed and show them the behaviour you expect.
