Motivating your people: What they want more than good pay

good job

Business owners and managers hire people always with the hope that they will stay long in the company and give their best in terms of performance, commitment and loyalty.

A good salary is, of course, a major motivating factor.  Small entrepreneurs, however, would be happy to know there are aspects, other than pay that can help assure their employees stay loyal, happy, and motivated.

Many of these, like giving employees flexibility, recognition and praise,  and a sense of empowerment, do not require a budget  outlay to implement.

1. Flexibility
Trust your people to manage their work commitments; don’t infantilize them by making them turn in a request every time they want to spend a day with their family or go to the doctor.

2. Control
Between smart phones and the global scope of so many of our jobs, we are on-call or in demand 24 hours a day. At least let your staff control their own schedules.

3. Mentorship
Give your workers the benefit of your experience; show them that you believe in them, and give them the space to grow.

4. Professional development
Encourage your people to take advantage of every opportunity for professional development. Send them to conferences and courses where they can learn vital skills and network.

5. Empowerment
The top down approach to leadership is outmoded. Allow your teams to step up and take the reins whenever they can.

6. Praise
Feedback matters. When your people deliver, show them that you recognize their accomplishments, and make sure their peers hear you praising them, too.

7. Tools to do their jobs

Give your people what they need to succeed, whether it’s a better laptop, the use of an intern or temp, a travel grant, or just the time and space to complete a demanding project.

8. A way up
Nobody wants to feel stuck in a dead end job. Make sure that everyone who works for you knows they are on a ladder.

9. Not to be micro-managed
Perhaps your team might not do things exactly the way you would but skip the micromanaging; it’s demotivating. The end result is what really matters.

10. Stress relievers
Whether it’s a day at the spa, distributing workloads more fairly, or loosing up deadlines, stress can lead to burnout and can be a huge productivity killer.

 

Adapted from:  fastcompany.com

Photo: internetviz.com