Building a happy, motivated team on a shoe-string budget

AS the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 continue to disrupt work environments, business leaders must be mindful of how they can improve employees’ mental health and morale. Small business owners must make an effort to ensure employees feel valuable and appreciated from a monetary and non-monetary perspective. This piece is targeted at managers who are in the predicament of declining social interaction and motivation among their staff.

Everything at the workplace has changed, but what keeps employees motivated and what employers and leaders can do remains the same. As employees adjust to how, when and where they work, it is a great opportunity for employers to do a better job at what they already know is important. Managing a shoe-string budget entails that nothing is more important than taking care of your team.

Effective leaders must understand their team’s circumstances and distractions, and find ways to engage and motivate them. In other words, how you help your employees to adjust and cope can earn their trust and loyalty, now and after the crisis. Here are some of the ideas that you can try in motivating your employees.

Proper leadership that delivers results is needed

When we look at what leadership is especially in a tight situation or crisis, we consider qualities like empathy, accountability, being appreciative, and being a great listener. We look to someone who is fair and doesn’t ignore the details just because they are details.

Great leaders engage employees and team members in an atmosphere of trust and honest communication, which not only prevents inconveniences from escalating into crises but improves worker productivity and retention. Leaders need to be proactive in addressing workplace issues instead of ignoring them. The best leaders reduce communication barriers, allowing employees to make maximum contribution. They spend time in dialogue with workers so that they find solutions unanimously.

Avoid bossing around unnecessarily

“People leave managers, not companies” is a common phrase you will hear when corporate leadership is discussed. Due to bad bosses, employee morale sinks, productivity tanks, and attrition goes up. Did you know that in some instances employees leave bad bosses and a toxic environment? No one enjoys being “bossed and tossed” around, even if they hold the lowest position in the company.

Slapping them with multiple instructions and workload will surely demoralise them especially when it is not commensurate with the salary. Give them a chance to voice their opinion once in a while and allow them to ask questions about your instructions so that you will know that they understand them.

Limit the rules and regulations

Take a look at your policies and procedures and ask yourself whether or not they will not demotivate your employees. Although it feels good to have full control and power over your subordinate, it should be noted that workplaces are not concentration camps in which people are detained or confined. This can actually affect your employees’ performance negatively.

Policy-overload makes your employees feel like there is not much room to manoeuvre, no room for mistakes and that there are severe repercussions for every mistake they make. Ironically, they make more mistakes under these circumstances as they will be operating according to law, not from the heart. Giving them chances to express their creativity, make decisions, and analyse situations will make them feel valued and this will also help them not to feel demotivated especially when an organisation is operating on a tight budget.

Remember you work with them, not above them

Many employers forget that when employees are working for them, they are passersby, hence any frustrations can lead them to resign and try the next employer. Instead of expecting employees to work under you like you are their supreme leader, try to explain to them in a way that motivates them and that does not frustrate them.

Also, for small businesses it is crucial to know that as the employers make their profits, the employee’s fundamental rights should be observed. A worker is more likely to perform to his full potential if he is happy with the salary he is earning. A person earning a high salary feels motivated to work harder, because he wants to please his employer to retain his position.

Understand them what excites

Listen to them carefully during an interview, your company team building, or even a simple conversation. You will most likely find out what makes them excited, or what kind of tasks they are interested in. This can be your key in knowing how to motivate your employees according to their own unique abilities.

● Read the full article on www.newsday.co.zw

● Emmanuel Zvada is an award-winning Most Fabulous Global HR practitioner 2020.