Change your attitude toward the people who work for you or are under you supervision at work. The very best way to keep staff, or anyone, motivated is to be sure they feel validated as a person. They are your employees, or under your management, in the workplace, but that doesn't make them any less a person than bosses.

Yes, you absolutely must maintain a professional working relationship with them. But there should never be a reason why you can't give them a hand if they need it. Let them feel supported. There is no better motivation than a manager or owner who is prepared to strap on an apron and wash dishes on an insanely busy breakfast shift. This doesn't make you any less a person in staff eyes. In fact, it has the opposite effect. They respect you for being there and they see a side of you that reminds them that maybe you started where they are right now.

That is a fact that should be well remembered. Bosses weren't born that way, everyone started somewhere. Once you have the respect of your team they will be motivated. If you listen to them, give them a few extra responsibilities, and back up their decisions even if they don't turn out so well. Think of the things that motivate you to do a great job. Certainly a boss who made himself too important to even speak with anyone else in the office is not motivational. Neither is one who makes mistakes and blames those in a lower position. And definitely those who go around trying everything to motivate everyone because he wants to make more money will not work.

Staff motivation needs to come from a place of true caring. Even though making profit is the number one aim in business, it needs to be the furthermost thing from your mind where staff performance is concerned. Being this way might seem like people will take advantage of you. Well that might happen. It happens to everyone at some stage. But it's how you deal with it that sees whether you retain respect amongst staff. Once people know they are not just a number or someone to get coffee for you, or a whipping boy you will have the level of performance you need.

Always remember that everybody has their strengths and everybody has their weaknesses. People deal with situations differently. if you situate your staff to deal with the areas they are naturally best at, then introduce new things to them, their confidence will soar. Highly motivated staff are all about confident, validated and supported people.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Mackrell.
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