5 tried-and-true strategies to maximize your team’s productivity

Do you wish you could instill your passion in your team members? If you improve the morale of your employees and colleagues, it’s highly likely they will be more motivated to strive for excellence on every project they undertake.

Some tested, successful motivational strategies are listed below, and each one will bring you a step closer to achieving your goal:

1. Adopt a can-do attitude

Positive thinking is conducive to success because it enables you to innovate and  simplifies the process of fostering better team motivation. Therefore, no matter the scope of the project, lead by example and show everyone what it means to have a can-do attitude. An outward display of optimism is infectious, so you can rest assured that your gestures won’t go unnoticed.

As a boss, it’s your responsibility to create a pleasant atmosphere that’s easy to work in. The happier you are, the more relaxed your team will be. Since “team” is a word that implies a joint effort, realize you need to motivate beyond simply running meetings. It’s okay to delegate some of your responsibilities to a few trusted members who are upbeat, driven and positive regardless of the circumstances. But that’s why it would be in your best interest to heed this second strategy.

2. Become approachable

Are you known for having an irritable temperament and enforcing rigid rules? If you are, it’s time to make a change. There’s nothing alluring about working for a boss who’s inflexible and short-tempered. The secret to improving your likability is to become approachable, leading with a friendly disposition. Make it your business to display your graciousness, so your employees can see you’re appreciative of their efforts.

What should you do when production is impeded due to tensions or disagreements?

The answer is simple:

• Listen to your team’s concerns
• Take the time to come up with a fair solution
• Reiterate your mission statement

This approach works because it effectively deals with the negative energy and keeps the focus on the primary objective. With less tension and more productive talks, you can attune yourself to your team’s needs. By better understanding what drives each member, it will help you help them to give their best effort. Employees are more willing to go above and beyond the call of duty when they have a boss who will guide them.

3. Align actions with words

This is perhaps one of the biggest motivating forces you can use. Instead of giving out orders and criticisms from behind your desk, tackle more activities with your team members. Show them what excellent professionalism is. Let them see your actions align with your words. As you might expect, employees want their manager to show a greater degree of accountability. So, own up to your mistakes in front of your team members. In return, they will have an even bigger reason to follow and trust you.

Like team motivation, trust plays a pivotal role in the workplace. This is especially true when it comes to getting others to take on more responsibilities.

Don’t hesitate to provide your team members with honest and prompt answers when they come to you with questions, and let your personality shine through during interactions. Employees are more responsive to a leader who’s full of fresh ideas, constructive feedback and good manners. As the boss, you have to make sure your employees know they are a priority.

4. Maintain a dynamic working environment

If you ask your employees what type of working environment they want, they will likely say a functional and dynamic one. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in. If you want a steady improvement in your employees’ ability to handle day-to-day operations, it’s important to give them an intellectually appealing workspace.

You won’t even have to be the primary motivator if you implement a competitive strategy. Setting up a reward-based system is one of the best competitive strategies available. What makes it so effective is that it provides employees with an incentive to meet your high standards.

Another effective strategy is to treat your team like a family. In the same way that a mother would encourage her children to chase their dreams, you need to push your team members to start encouraging one another. Routine training classes turn employees into a close-knit unit and keep everyone mentally and physically sharp.

5. Understand that everyone is different

If you look at feedback from surveyed employees, you’ll come across one frequent complaint: there was a lack of direct attention from the management. Keep this in mind, and take the time to get to know every member of your team. No two workers are the same, and no one wants to be overlooked or compared to another person. Sometimes, all you have to do is ask the right questions to figure out an individual’s top motivating forces.

Although face-to-face meetings can be time-consuming undertakings, they provide the ideal setting to get answers from your employees.

Everyone doesn’t have the confidence to converse with the person who’s in charge. That’s why you should be willing to engage in an open dialogue during meetings. The goal is to get every member to feel comfortable enough to be forthcoming and honest. Because you’re on a mission to build a team that’s motivated to do nothing but high-quality work, it’s advisable for you to eliminate any feelings of complacency. In today’s ever-changing business environment, there’s no room for indifference, arrogance or mediocrity.

If you tend to get impatient with others, consider doing some yoga or breathing techniques before workdays and meetings. Motivational strategies are more manageable for employers who approach their management with mindfulness and positive thinking. Check out this post to help you achieve long-term success and happiness in your work life.