10 ways to motivate your team

Employee motivation is key to a productive and efficient team. While there is no one solution to ensure your staff are driven and inspired at work, it is important to understand that money isn’t the only professional motivator.

To help increase office morale, we’ve listed ten tried and tested ways to motivate your team.

1. Public praise

We all like praise for a job well done. Taking the time to give sincere and genuine thanks to a staff member in front of their peers will boost their self-esteem. Your employees will also appreciate the fact that you’ve noticed their hard work.

2. A beer brings cheer

A drink after work is the traditional way to bond your team. However, there are alternatives, including as an ‘away day' paint balling or bowling. However, if you do choose to drink, control your booze intake and don't let yourself get inebriated in front of your team – it’s unprofessional.

3. Training for all

Training is a great means of stimulation because it shows that you are prepared to invest in your employees’ development, making them feel valued. Encourage the recipient of any training to share their new insights with the rest of the team.

4. Pizza power

Taking your team out for a lunch is a great way to boost morale and assess the general mood in camp. By planning it a week in advance, you give staff something to look forward to.

5. Additional responsibility

If members of your team are asking for extra tasks, and if they deserve the recognition, find ways of giving them more responsibility and rewards.

6. Prestige title

Improving someone’s title when they’ve proved their worth costs you nothing. But it can provide a confidence boost and is certainly a motivator to them and the rest of the team.

7. Demonstrate integrity every day

Nothing destroys team morale and cohesiveness more quickly than a boss no one trusts, particularly one who plays team members off against each other. You must be prepared to demonstrate integrity and stand up for your staff at all times.

8. Be flexible and gracious

If a member of staff has to take time off work unexpectedly, try to be accommodating; you’ll find they’re appreciative and will work hard to make up for lost time. They’ll also be happy to know they’re working for a gracious employer.

9. Clear goals and leadership

Structure and clear direction can reassure staff that they’re on the right track. Provide objectives so employees have something to work towards, rather than aiming for a nonexistent goal.

10. Friday is fun, fun, fun

Give your team something to look forward to; work does not have to feel like work all the time and everyone needs a little downtime. Friday afternoons are a good time to do something different that keeps people motivated during the week. Team prizes that combine humour with public recognition will go down well. For example, one prize might be delivered: "For dealing with the most abusive customer of the week we have this bespoke set of ear plugs".

Investing in ways to keep your team motivated will, ultimately, benefit you and your organisation. As moral rises, so does productivity and if your organisation requires plenty of team-work, it’s particularly important that your staff are kept happy and get along with each other.

Unmotivated employees are more likely to look for a new career. If you need more advice on the matter, take a look at our articles on the importance of staff retention and how to conduct an effective appraisal.