It’s summer—the weather is great outside and vacations are still lingering on the minds of your employees. This, along with the weeks leading up to Christmas, can often make it hard for your employees to stay motivated.
As a small business owner, part of your job is to keep your employees motivated and happy. There is no science to this…it really just comes down to valuing and respecting your employees. Here are three ways to make sure you keep them productive and motivated no matter what time of the year it might be.
Give Credit: Always make sure you are applauding the efforts of your employees for everything they do. If they have played a monumental role in churning out work that has landed your company an award, don’t dare take the credit for yourself. Let it be known publicly and within the office who the real hero is. Giving credit when credit is due is one of the best ways to keep your employees happy. Sometimes, if possible, this recognition may need to come in the form of a bonus or gift of some sort.
Manners, Please: No matter how groggy and irritable you are on Monday mornings always take the time to speak with your employees. Even if it is nothing more than a simple “Hello” or “Good morning,” this helps to make employees feel valued. Studies have shown that people in upper management that simply come into the office and sit down behind their desk without interacting with employees are respected less by those that work for them. Taking the time to engage in small talk or going out of your way to thank your employees for their hard work make you more relatable to your employees and, therefore, more respected.
Make it Fun: As long as you are up to date on your work, it’s okay to slack off every now and then. This shows your employees that you want them to be stress-free and relaxed. Knock off of work early for an unexpected lunch and half a day off. Go bowling or golfing to help build relationships in the office. Let your employees know that you see them as more than just “production units” and would like to spend non-work time with them outside of the office.
What are some ways you have found to successfully keep your employees motivated in the office?