THE environment that companies are operating in is constantly changing.
Corporations are under immense pressure to deliver in a globally competitive environment. In our country, companies are under stress due to liquidity factors, among other challenges.
It takes an above average leader to steer up the ship in these turbulent times.
Business fails at times because they focus on the wrong metrics or methodologies. At university we were taught the efficient and the fast techniques for production and profits, that’s not bad at all and in the same breath it’s incomplete without the power behind emotional intelligence.
Secondly, the direct supervisor or manager has the greatest influence to re-engineer employees to perform at their best. Let’s explore seven means to get your staff motivated.
Effective staff praise The leader has a role more than that of a manager. He has to praise individuals to make them feel significant and as an important and contributive organ in the institution.
Some leaders think because the staff is paid, there is no reason for appreciation, but when things go wrong they are swift to pin point at mistakes that the employee has made. The best is to praise in public and chide in secret.
Organisational excellence Brian Tracy, in his book: The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success, says: “People are most inspired when they feel that they are working for an organisation in which excellence is the expected standard.
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The very best way to motivate and inspire others is for you to announce your commitment to being the best in your field or industry.”
Reward your staff The fact that the employees know that they will be rewarded for their great contribution makes them to work more and do more than expected.
This also unleashes their creativity and drives their determination to work towards the improvement of the organisation. Not only monetary rewards enhance performance, but also recognitions and awards.
Develop empathy Leadership has to be sensitive and aware of the needs and feelings of the staff. This takes being a good listener, being considerate, cautious and caring. It’s important for leaders to listen to employees’ problems, plight, contributions, challenges and interests.
It has been said that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This is the best means to open up your team players to give you advice and ideas.
Positional or title leadership at times fails in this. The influential leader motivates and inspires while the position leader controls and administers.
Have interest in individual development Individuals have dreams and aspirations and as a leader take special interest in the improvement. Motivate them in their career endeavours.
Letting the employee know you are concerned about their future career prospects gives them the confidence in you as a leader. Take your time to influence, coach and mentor them.
Never lead by threats Some organisations and leaders use threats to get the job done. That’s not the best at all! They threaten to fire you, cut your salary, demote you from your position et cetera.
This does not work for the best. In fact, you are grooming robots that might turn against you and the progress of the company. The best leadership is influential and transformational.
Transformational leadership brings people to a higher level of performance because they have been inspired to see more and to be more. John Quincy Adam had this famous quote: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Led them as you would want to be lead The golden saying “do unto others as you would like them to do unto you” applies in this instance. Lead and treat your employees in the manner you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes.
Parting Point: Allow me to end with a quote from Myles Munroe (pictured) who passed away on Sunday in a plane crash together with his wife Ruth.
Munroe has been an instrumental author and speaker in shaping the leadership and motivation industry. He said: “Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration, motivated by passion, generated by vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.”
For more tips and advices go to www.successlife.co.zw, call 0772 581 918, e-mail: [email protected]
Jonah Nyoni is an author, success coach and motivational speaker.
