Motivational Techniques

Maintaining a well-motivated work force is a management responsibility, however, requirements can vary between employees and for the same employee depending on their disposition on the day, so there is no one technique for all situations. A range of techniques can be considered and used where considered most appropriate, including:
1. Effective communication: to help build a rapport and ensure the relevant message is being received in a clear and non-confusing way, by an individual.
2. Empathy: to listen to and understand the concerns and issues of individuals will better help a manager to meet their needs and desires.
3. Challenge and stretch: Identifying what are achievable goals for an individual, varying these challenges to maintain stimulation, helping them to learn new skills and knowledge, approaching tasks from a different perspective, including collaborative working where appropriate for activities which sit outside an individual's normal ‘comfort zone'.
4. Encouragement and praise: Regular feedback and acknowledgement of work carried out, praising efforts made, providing additional support and positive comments where an individual appears to be struggling in some way.
5. Rewards: A range of rewards might be considered, from informal to more formal, but obviously these will need to be appropriate and manageable on a continuous basis.
6. Teambuilding events: These can be informal get togethers outside of work, to a manager providing treats or similar, through to more formal in-work events and days out.
7. Personal development activities: Offer employees the opportunity to study for qualifications or enrol on short training courses or encourage attendance at industry events or meeting with other industry colleagues to gain different perspectives on work activities.