Posted September 23rd, 2012 by bbsadmin & filed under General Business, Motivation.

Often in business, you run into employees that are just existing, trying to get through the day, lack excitement and direction, and clearly aren’t as productive as they could be. You also see those that are excited, energetic and trying to change the world. How do we get the first group to be more like the second group? Well some would say give them some coffee or some 5-hour energy drink, but synthetic stimulation is not the answer. The key is knowing how to motivate your employees or even better – getting your employees to motivate themselves. Here are some tips:

Direction: Make sure everyone understands what they are doing and why they are doing it. Many employees simple don’t know why they’ve been asked to do something. If you don’t know why you’re doing it, you just can’t have much excitement about it. Give your employees clear direction on what they are doing and why they are doing it. If the work isn’t exciting, it should be leading to something that is exciting – if it’s not, then you should be wondering why you are wasting your time on it.

Communicate often and clearly: It is not sufficient to just tell your employees what to do and why they are doing it – you must communicate with them often and reinforce the message. Use positive reinforement to let them know how well they are doing and use constructive training to help them to do better. Frequent feedback is crucial to keeping employee on track and excited about what they are doing.

Be Inclusionary: Make sure each and every employee is included as part of the team. Even the newest employee or the lowest person on the corporate heirarchy is important to making the company run successfully and meet its goals. Let each of them individually know of their importance and worth. Build them up, provide them opportunities, give them something to be excited about. Instill in them an understanding of the company’s vision and strategy and let them know they are a part of it.

Provide a Fit: Not every person fits into every organization. Each company has its own culture. Hire those that understand and agree with your vison and prosper in the company’s culture. If someone doesn’t fit with your company, help them find where they would be a better fit. Every company is different, but each is necessary to have a great economy and a wonderful society.

Be Positive: Be your company’s greatest cheerleader. Positive attitudes and excitement are contagious. Others who see and feel your energy will likewise increase their excitement and the positive energy becomes viral.

Motivational theory is a very broad field and we can always benefit by studying the advice of experts, but some of these simple steps will always put in the right direction.