Over a third (36%) of employees in a recent survey said they would give up $5,000 per year in salary to be happier at work. In another study, only 21% of employees report feeling engaged at work. These numbers suggest the need to create meaningful motivation if you want to attract and keep the best workers:
- Be a source of positive energy. Communicate in positive ways that encourage innovation and creative problem-solving.
- Allow mistakes. Remove the fear that keeps people from taking chances and sharing ideas for new and better ways to do things. Enable staff to learn from their mistakes and devise ways to prevent future errors.
- Keep people busy and productive. Avoid busy work but provide opportunities and tasks that are meaningful, challenging, and enable people to use their skills and talents. Remember that people feel more motivated when they are encouraged to be creative, solve problems, and have the freedom to make their own decisions.
