How many people are actually satisfied with their jobs? Everyone wants to feel content with their working environment, but the reality is that over 50% of the workforce is still struggling with the corporate culture.
Although the satisfaction rate is higher than previous years, some still experience difficulties with morale-boosting techniques and finding the right approach to engage employees. However, the motivation is a key to business success and productivity. Even psychologists claim so, as the consequences of an unhappy workplace are increased depression, low self-esteem, and illness.
All of these statistics lead to one crucial question – what is the best method to stimulate the workers and increase efficiency? The only way to do so is by applying the Goldilocks approach, meaning finding “just the right” amount of positive changes, without putting the quality of work at risk.
Give Them a Voice
Giving employees more control over their jobs helps them feel more appreciated and in control. Their work should be more than an established routine, so to be productive they need to know that what they are doing has a higher purpose.
Allowing them to make a choice that suits them the most, as long as they respect the deadline, is an excellent option for raising the team’s morale. In addition, any interference with their working process should be avoided at all cause, unless they are unsure of the project’s requirements.
A manager should always be available to answer the employee’s questions and give feedback. However, he shouldn’t do the work for them. Finding the right balance through clear and concise instructions, provided guidance, and listening, as well as implementing some of the worker’s suggestions will immediately bring visible positive changes.
Improve Collaboration
Communication via emails is dated, as the emphasis is now on the real-time back and forth updates, not to mention the stress and drop of productivity it causes. In fact, 92% of workforce experience difficulties and high blood pressure when they notice an email from their managers.
The technological progress allowed us to have live chat conversations, so businesses should use and integrate project management software for a faster exchange of essential project information and a better workflow.
Praise Good Work
As low moral costs the U.S. $483-$605 billion each year, to avoid being a part of the statistic, organizations must value their high-performing workers. The truth is that a whole 53% of employees choose to stay at their jobs because they feel appreciated by their superiors.
It is not enough to congratulate an employee in private – a praise for a job well done should be public. Based on what 73% of workers have to say, a peer commendation is quite a tool for motivation, even bigger than a salary raise. Furthermore, it will positively impact others to perform better, so they should hear a few words of praise every now and again.
Accountability is a Big Part of the Equation
As mentioned above, the Goldilocks rule is to give some and take a portion away until you reach a silver lining. That being said, with a greater power comes a greater responsibility. Although more freedom should be given to employees, they must be aware of the consequences if their performance is lacking. The same rules should apply for managers as well. If the business suffers from inadequate business practices, someone must be held responsible.
Celebrate Work Together
Did you know that 78% of employees spend more time with coworkers than their families? Respecting their dedication means occasionally organizing fun events to celebrate anniversaries and milestones. Not only will this improve morale and make them feel appreciated, but it will also bring people closer.
Since smaller teams usually stick together, rarely does an employee get a chance to interact with someone outside of their circle. Business celebrations provide the perfect opportunity for them to unwind and connect with others. Likewise, this will boost the company’s morale and tighten the bonds and loyalty of employees.
Awards & Bonuses
Firstly, the time invested in working overtime should always be awarded. In addition, if someone outperformed other coworkers with superior skills while working on the project, then a slight bonus is an excellent way to motivate the good workers and encourage other teammates to strive for perfection.
Rising their confidence and desire to learn more is important when it comes to improved efficiency. With a high self-esteem and newly acquired knowledge, there are no limits to what a business can achieve.
Your employees’ health and satisfaction should never be neglected. The same also goes for trusting their abilities to conduct a job by themselves. If businesses fail to invest in the working unit as a whole, the lowered productivity will cost them more than a few positive changes in company culture would.