How to Motivate Today

The current state of the economy has affected everyone in America. Some have felt it like and earthquake and others have felt merely trembles and aftershocks. This dramatic set of events in our financial markets created unexpected changes in business and with these challenges have brought cultural shifts and changes among corporations worldwide. Renowned thinkers like Aristotle and Freud struggled with the nuances of motivation and human behavior centuries ago and in times like this; it has become even more complex to understand. As this business climate changed so did our corporations, some moved quickly made cuts and changed business strategies and just some stood fast and pressed on. Most corporations did not prepare and did not move quickly enough trying to thankfully protect the overall welfare of their employees and workforce. Most companies started with a positive approach and attempted to out run it and out work it. This caused a necessity for increased performance, market and customer diversification, early mornings and late nights. When that was not enough then the alternative had to occur, it was time for cost cutting measures that impacted people, salaries, hours, shifts, jobs, and business closures.

So here we are today on the other side of it. We are humbled, we remain uncertain, and want to be optimistic more than anything else. Attitude is everything right? I often hear, this thing will turn or the market is beginning to turn around again and when it does things will be different. So we sit here and wait it out and hope to get a glimpse of what our future may hold for us. We may be motivated to “not lose out job” but surely are not inspired to take over the industry with a new innovative product or service- we have been humbled too much and are realists more than ever before.

Managers are challenged with the responsibility to gradually and delicately create a strategy to begin improving the morale and attitude of the organization. It will not be easy; however that is why you need to understand how to motivate more than ever before.

The most effective way to change a company, department, or team is through camaraderie and promoting a culture that derives from teamwork, collaboration, synergy, and friendships. I have heard cases of task forces, committee’s, or SWAT Teams that were created to allow participation and buy-in from the entire organization where they discussed and implemented cost-saving and revenue-growth projects.

Employees are also motivated by their specific job or role in the company- can be referred to as job design. A hard look at every position in the company and making some sort of modification can invigorate and give an employee a higher sense of meaning and challenge. Allowing employees to learn new skills and accommodating their need to be trusted and challenged can provide a big impact.

Performance management is also important for motivation. If each employee is fully aware of the expectations of management and the process is transparent, open, and fluid there is a higher sense of obligation and commitment to perform.

Lastly, the secret is the combination of all three- camaraderie, job, and commitment or expectations. A change in one area will make an improvement but in no way will provide the same impact as the combination of all three working together. Each manager implementing the change can make even a larger impact by rolling up his sleeves and getting to work right alongside the rest of the team or department. Managers need to get out of their offices and out on the floor or out with the customers and out of their offices- that alone will change the attitude and motivation organizationally.