A motivated employee or freelancer will often do more for less. They will put in more hours, pay more attention to details, speak up on your behalf and be an all-star for your business. Here is now to motivate your employees and/or freelancers:
Acknowledge Quality Work
When someone performs good work, acknowledge them. The more public the praise, the better. Always strive to praise in public and always criticize privately. Don’t praise performance unless it is really worthy, but also don’t pass up the opportunity to praise good work. Employees who feel valued are more likely to do valuable work in the future. Loyalty is usually not bought by money, but by recognition.
Interact with Integrity
In order for employees and freelancers to feel motivated by you, they need to truly respect you, which is earned in large part by integrity. Pay your freelancers when you say you will pay them. When you make a promise, make sure to hold up your end of the bargain. Hold a high bar of ethics and values for yourself. You also need to make it clear to your freelancers that you expect the same of them. Make it clear that lateness isn’t tolerated. Interact with your employees with a sense of value and integrity. This will contribute to creating both respect and motivation in the workplace.
Let Them Know What They Are a Part Of
Let your employees know what they are helping you to create. Engineers working at firms such as Google or Facebook aren’t motivated only because of the money. They are motivated because they believe they are helping to change the world. They stand for something, and that creates a huge sense of accomplishment.
Even if you are selling a mundane product, you are still solving problems for other people. If you are a dentist, you are helping others live pain-free lives. Stand for the impact you have in the world. Convey this pride to your employees and freelancers.
Be Positive!
People love to work for positive people. Smile and bring optimism to the workplace. Be positive about where your company is, about who you are working with, and about your company’s future prospects. Positivity is infectious. If you’re positive, chances are sooner or later it will catch on with your employees.
Do these four things and your organization’s overall motivation level will skyrocket.
