The Hidden Value of Social Security Disability Insurance: Why It’s Important During Benefits Enrollment
What will motivate employees more than money? Nothing, you say. But you say it with a smile as you think about how horrible it would be to work for someone who yells and harasses you all day, every day, just so you can bring home a large paycheck.
When you are completely honest with yourself, you realize that money means a lot, but it is not—by a long-shot—the only thing, or even the most important thing that motivates you to get up every day and do the best work you can.
A List of Five “Things” That Motivate Employees More Than Money
Recognition for a Job Well Done
Acknowledgement motivates employees. Everyone wants to be acknowledged for their achievements. Baby boomers, for example, ar 12 times more likely to think they work in a great workplace if they feel pride in their work.
Recognition comes in as many forms as there are employees, so a skilled manager must determine which type of recognition works best for each employee. Some employees like public recognition, whereas others may prefer a hand-written note. Managers must also balance recognition to make certain it does not come too easy, or too rarely, to those who excel. Baby boomers,Some employees believe strongly
Involve Employees in Decision Making
Most people hate being told what to do. As a manager, one simple way to motivate employees is to allow them to come up with ideas for the best course of action, and then allow them to pursue the idea. Most times their ideas will be similar to yours, but employees will feel rewarded because they were part of the decision making process.
High Expectations
When a company sets high expectations for all employees, performance levels and motivation increase. Expectations should be raised every year. This increases personal meaning, and decreases the opportunity for an employee to feel as if every day is Groundhog Day. When you push an employee, you are showing confidence in their abilities.
Thank You
Sometimes, simple gratitude can motivate employees. This lets them know they are valued. A Harvard study revealed that fundraisers who received an in-person “thank you” from a superior had 50 percent higher call rates the following week than a group of employees who did not receive a thank you.
Opinion of Peers
One of the most powerful things a manager can share with an employee is feedback from their colleagues as to their performance. It is one thing for a manager to praise or criticize an employee. It is completely different when it comes from peers. Tapping into the opinion of peers is a profound way to motivate employees.
What Motivates You to Go the Extra Mile at Work
When Tinypulse published their study The Seven Key Trends Impacting Today’s Workplace
There was an interesting question asked of participants, which pointed directly to employee motivation. Participants were asked, “What motivates you to excel and go the extra mile at your organization?”
Participants could choose between 10 answers. The results:
- Camaraderie, peer motivation (20 percent)
- Intrinsic desire to a good job (17 percent)
- Feeling encouraged and recognized (13 percent)
- Having a real impact (10 percent)
- Growing professionally (8 percent)
- Meeting client/customer needs (8 percent)
- Money and benefits (7 percent)
- Positive supervisor/senior management (4 percent)
- Believe in the company/product (4 percent)
- Other (9 percent)
Money was number seven on this list. Most people like money. But when you see it ranked a distant seventh, this should tell those who worry about how to motivate employees that there are all types of methods, most of which are budget neutral.
Image credit Shutterstock
About Council for Disability Awareness
Related posts
