One of the biggest questions facing companies today is how to get solid and consistent productivity from their employees. How can we institute motivators that will work? Most of the time we think that more cash or a bigger car will provide that motivation. More incentives do not necessarily lead to better productivity. So how do we get our people to do more? Here are four tips to help you increase your employee’s productivity.
1. Look at the other person’s perspective
To understand why people are doing what they are doing, we must first get to know what is important to them. What is their view of the world? What is their personal potential and their desired goals? Just because you are setting goals for your people, doesn’t mean those goals align with what they want for themselves. If there is a misalignment you can’t expect them to work hard to attain your goals. They aren’t motivated to do so. You have to create goals that will encourage and drive them based on their own internal drivers.
2. What is your own perspective?
Our own individual values and ethics differ from person to person. If someone does not follow our ‘work ethic’, it does not necessarily mean they are lazy. Let go of these preconceived values when influencing other people and figure out their true motivators. Asking lots of questions and understanding their past work and personal history can provide some insight into their values. Watching how they conduct themselves and interact with others lets you understand their social values and possibly their ethical values. Take an interest in your people and do some homework to understand what really makes them tick.
3. Generate influential strategies
When talking to the other person, talk to him or her based on their beliefs and perspective. You can then set clearer and more attainable goals. Narrow the gap of expectation between you and the other person. Make sure the communication line between you and your people is open and clear. There may be some additional interaction that needs to occur to create a comfort level that allows the individual to open up and show their true selves and in doing so reveal more of what motivates them.
4. Focus on the results and not the activity.
Understand that no two people work the same way, provide them the rope to accomplish what you ask without standing over their shoulder. You will often be surprised when the results are better than anticipated with what you may consider an unorthodox approach.
What are some of the motivators you have found to be useful to drive your employees? What makes you go that extra mile?