Lean Quote: Top 10 Ways to Motivate Employees

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"People work for money but go the extra mile for recognition, praise and rewards."   —  Dale Carnegie, Leadership Training Guru

Motivating employees presents a challenge to even the most experienced managers and executives. Couple that with a small or non-existent budget, and it can feel climbing Mount Everest. There’s relief, though. Most employees are motivated by non-cash, not-so flashy rewards. In fact, many employees stay on top of their game when managers and leaders give sincere, deserved recognition and rewards with small or no price tags.

To jump-start motivation today, it’s important to know what motivates people. Then apply proven, inexpensive or no-cost strategies that will keep your employees motivated at work.

Recognizing good work is the No. 1 way to motivate employees – by their own admission in several studies. But that alone won’t sustain motivation.

Instead, managers can mix up motivation tactics from the top 10 things employees say keep them happy and interested in work.

1. Public praise and recognition. One note of caution: Make sure employees aren’t embarrassed by public recognition before you single out anyone at a department or company event.

2. Opportunity to show off a great job. Most employees like to share their successes. Bonus: Others can learn from and be motivated by them.

3. Hearing about the positive impact they have – on the company, their boss, co-workers, a project, a customer, etc.

4. Earning extra time off. Employees usually enjoy earned time off more than time off that is just handed to them.

5. Training and development opportunities. This report will give you low-cost ways to train employees.

6. Being treated with respect by managers and co-workers. So managers need to check that employees treat each other well.

7. Opportunities to mentor new hires.

8. Inclusion in projects and decisions beyond their normal job tasks.

9. Receiving and being trained to use top-notch technology. This report will give tips on how to offer technology at lower costs.

10. A relaxed open work environment can be a huge motivator. If everyone is feeling comfortable, they’re not afraid to throw out ideas. Even if an idea doesn’t work initially, that doesn’t mean it won’t lead to the solution that wins in the end.