How to motivate your work team

Over the past 25 years I have been fortunate to deliver keynote presentations to several hundred organizations.

In addition to leadership, motivational-related topics have been the most requested.

What I discovered is that many of the organizations that bring me in to discuss a motivation topic struggle with a staff that is dis-engaged, going through their workdays uninspired.

Perhaps they invite me to speak to their team, with the hope that I will share some magic words that will instantly get their staff motivated.

Unfortunately, it is just not that simple. Typically if lack of motivation permeates a company’s workforce, there are much larger systemic issues at play.

Since I do not deliver a quick-fix to address organizational woes in a speech, I do suggest some of the following ideas in hopes it may inspire different thinking and action on behalf of organizational leadership:

• Get it right — It is critical that organizations take the time to clearly define their organizational structure, jobs and performance expectations. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to hire the right (motivated) people for your company.

• Improve the hiring process — From the person who sweeps the floor to the CEO, hire individuals who have a passion and interest in performing the required job responsibilities and duties.

Use selection tools that will increase the probability that your organization will hire the right individuals for open positions. When the correct alignment between job opening and candidate occurs, magic can happen in your workplace.

Remember that supported, passionate, skilled employees are the ones that drive your organization.

Passionate people who love their job, know their job and believe in what they are doing are more demanding of themselves than any expectations you can place on them.

There may be nothing more powerful in business than attracting and retaining highly talented and motivated individuals to be on your team. And the more individuals you have like this, the better your chances of organizational growth and success.

• Get off the train — Traditional corporate training will not fix bad attitudes or give people passion – it simply provides time away from work for unmotivated employees.

Try to reserve training and education for employees eager to enhance their skill sets and knowledge.

• Inspire by example — Even the most motivated person desires strong corporate leadership. Employees follow and are inspired by leaders that embody a strong work ethic, honesty, job knowledge and great vision.

If you are a corporate leader, one of your critical responsibilities is to inspire by action. Words are meaningless if they’re not backed up by daily personal results.

There is no doubt that if you and/ or your staff are living and working with passion, great things can and often do happen. The key is to lead and manage in a way that supports a staff that is passionate about their work and your organization. The flip side are organizations where employees just go through the motions.

When that happens, your company will go nowhere. If your organization falls into this category, hopefully you will be motivated to spark a change for the better.