Behind Motivation

"Start with good people, lay out the rules, communicate with your employees, motivate them and reward them. If you do all those things effectively, you can't miss." --- Lee Iacocca

There is nothing more frustrating in business than to have a talented, unmotivated employee. Nothing is more detrimental to your business either. An employee that is not motivated will eventually bring down other team members working close by.
Its been said that it is easier for someone on the floor to pull down someone standing on a chair than it is the other way around.

But, a leader that creates an environment where the vision and purpose of the business, as well as the work itself, oozes with a culture of motivation will find strength in numbers. The magical motivational factor will begin to take shape.

There are many factors that can be applied when embarking on developing a culture of motivation. Here are three that can be implemented immediately:

1.) Tell the story. We've listened to leaders complain about this employee or that one that is just not giving their all. We've heard, "They don't seem motivated and don't care about the business like I do." This is usually true and it is no wonder, they don't have much to get excited about when the leader isn't communicating what there is to get excited about. True, you are motivated and on fire to make the business extremely successful, but your team members have no clue what you are feeling. They haven't heard the war stories of how much blood, sweat, and tears came out of you to get the business where it is today. Take the time to tell your story. Let them know how passionate you are about the business because of where you see the business going. Believe me, they do not know.

2.) Show the way. After you've painted a picture of where you've been and how you feel, now show them where they are going. Let them know repeatedly the destination of the journey as well as the course that will be taken to get there. If you don't, your team members are floundering in the water and after a while they lose steam. To keep them motivated, constantly communicate to them where you are taking them and remind them that they are in the driver's seat as well.

3.) Celebrate the journey. Company parties shouldn't be just for the major holidays. Celebrate as many successes in the company as possible. Celebrate the lives of your team members. If an employee closes a sale, recognize it and celebrate it. If an employee has a baby, celebrate it. If a project is completed on time, a customer sends in a note of appreciation, the leaking faucet in the bathroom gets repaired--- CELEBRATE!

Adopt these three right way and watch the culture begin to change. You are on your way to a more motivated workforce.