Updated: Oct 28, 2021
As a manager, your job will be easier if you know how to motivate your team. Employees who care about their work will be more resilient, innovative, and productive.
However, you may have a long way to go. According to the latest Gallup report, 51% of employees are disengaged in the workplace and 13% are actively disengaged.
The challenge may be even greater when you add in the new demands of remote and hybrid teams. The Harvard Business Review cites a study that found motivation dropped 17% when employees had no choice in shifting to working at home.
What can you do to inspire more positivity, and keep discouragement from spreading?
Try this proven formula for boosting your team’s motivation.
How to Boost Intrinsic Motivation
The most powerful motivation comes from within. Your employees will choose their own thoughts, but you can create conditions that encourage a growth mindset.
Increase your team’s internal motivation with these strategies:
Clarify your purpose. Help employees to understand the reasons behind what they do and how it fits into the bigger picture. Share your vision and mission. Set concrete goals.
Facilitate reflection. Ensure that your discussions go beyond tasks and deadlines. Give team members frequent opportunities to think about how they’re feeling and voice their opinions about what’s working and what needs to change. Ask questions and listen to their responses.
Experiment regularly. Value innovation even if the initial results fall short of expectations. Let your team know that you believe in learning from experience and will give them credit for taking risks.
Empower workers. Resist the urge to micromanage. Show employees that you have confidence in their judgement and abilities. Let them take responsibility for completing their assignments in their own way.
Be realistic. It’s easier to be enthusiastic about a project when you know you can do it. Make your goals challenging but feasible. Provide adequate support and