10 Ways To Motivate Your Team (That Won’t Cost You Anything)

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a team that brings energy, enthusiasm and high standards to work every day.

Look beyond salary and benefits and try these 10 sure-fire tactics:

1.  SET A GOOD EXAMPLE

Your mood is contagious.  Choose to spread cheerfulness and energy at work. 

2.  REALLY, TRULY LISTEN

Learn to use active listening to its fullest potential – don’t just pretend interest.

3. BE CLEAR ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF EVERY JOB, AND THE COMPANY’S MISSION

Make sure everyone knows the big picture, and how the work they do contributes to that.

4. DON’T LET YOUR PERSONAL LIKES AND DISLIKES BLIND YOU TO WHO IS ACTUALLY DOING A GOOD JOB

Be fair. You don’t have to like everyone on a personal level. You do have to objectively recognise a job well done.

5. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

If you have a good worker who is frequently 10 minutes late, let them know that you expect them to be on time, but don’t belabour the point if their work is otherwise good. Employees are human beings with strengths and weaknesses, not worker robots.

6. ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN SOMEONE IN YOUR TEAM ACHIEVES A GOAL

This can be as simple as a personalised post-it note stuck to their screen.

7. BE GENUINE WITH YOUR TEAM AND USE YOUR MANNERS

They deserve to be treated with respect, always.

8. WORK HARD TO BUILD A TEAM THAT DEMANDS EXCELLENCE AND CELEBRATES SUCCESS

Working as part of a team that sets high standards for all its members is incredibly motivating.

9. REMEMBER THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE GOOD IDEAS

Seek out your your employees’ ideas, and listen to them. If they’re good, implement them. Encourage others to do the same.  

10. DON’T AVOID DEALING WITH PROBLEM TEAM MEMBERS

It’s extremely demoralising to others if someone on the team isn’t pulling their weight. Talk to that person and make sure they know what they’re doing wrong, as well as what they’re doing right. Make a plan. If the person will not or cannot improve after several performance meetings, terminate their employment. You owe it to everyone else in the team.