Benefits

But it’s not all about mental and emotional wellbeing. Studies have found that highly engaged and motivated teams offer businesses a multitude of benefits, including:

• High productivity levels – Engaged and motivated employees are around 43% more productive than unmotivated individuals. https://brandongaille.com/17-employee-motivation-statistics-and-trends/
• More innovation – Research has found motivated employees are more creative and are more confident when sharing ideas for business improvement.
• Higher profits – Businesses with “higher than average” employee motivation and engagement benefit from 27% higher profits, 50% more sales, and 50% improved customer loyalty. https://www.achievers.com/blog/23-employee-motivation-statistics-to-silence-naysayers/
• Lower levels of absenteeism – Studies found highly engaged work teams realize a 41% reduction in absenteeism. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236366/right-culture-not-employee-satisfaction.aspx
• Lower staff turnover – A survey of over 50,000 employees found motivated team members are 87% less likely to leave a company… That’s five times lower than unengaged individuals! https://www.inc.com/elizabeth-kiehner/whats-forgotten-in-cultures-and-your-companys-obsession-with-technology.html
• Greater business reputation – When staff members are happy, fulfilled, and highly motivated, they will be driven to provide a better customer experience and spread the word about how great your company is.
• Stronger recruitment capabilities – Companies with low staff turnover and an excellent reputation are a far more attractive prospect for job seekers, allowing you to pick the very best candidates.

15 Signs Your Employees are Motivated

Now that you know what motivation is and some of the benefits of employee motivation in a company, how can you tell whether your team is engaged and motivated?

• They’re smiling
• They show up to work early or are willing to stay later
• They take initiative
• They’re not afraid to challenge management
• There’s evidence of teamwork and camaraderie
• They participate in after-hour work events
• There’s minimum absenteeism or responsibility avoidance
• They seek feedback and self-improvement
• They look for new opportunities to learn
• They volunteer for challenging assignments
• Their energy levels are high
• They keep their work areas tidy
• They don’t waste company resources
• They provide feedback to the business
• They customize their positions

7 Signs Employee Motivation is Lacking

While monitoring employee performance and attitudes for examples of motivation in the workplace can be beneficial, keeping an eye out for signs of disengagement or a lack of motivated behavior can also be beneficial.

• They’re frequently late or slow to start work
• Their attitude towards their co-workers has changed, or they’re not engaging with colleagues
• There’s an increase in absenteeism
• They’re unfocused and/or distant
• They’re noticed making inappropriate or negative comments
• They’re not engaging in team meetings
• They are reluctant to take on extra responsibility in the workplace

What Causes Demotivation in the Workplace?

It can be tempting to reward a motivated person and disregard anyone who’s not demonstrating focus or engagement… However, there are many reasons someone might feel disengaged in the workplace.

Rather than leaving this group behind, try to understand the causes for their behavior and ask how you can help improve their performance.

• Boredom
• Lack of confidence in management
• An unmanageable workload or unattainable targets
• An unwelcoming or unsuitable work environment
• A lack of career progression (or information about career pathways)
• Feeling unappreciated
• External issues unrelated to work – for example, family illness, bereavement, or health/financial struggles

How To Improve Motivation In The Workplace

Now you know how to separate a person’s competence from their motivational skills; if you want to be a great leader, you need to know how to encourage and empower your team to achieve their full potential.

• Recognize great work
• Communicate openly and regularly
• Offer challenging work
• Make sure everyone understands the impact their work has (set the “why”)
• Set clear, achievable targets
• Don’t micromanage!
• Create a welcoming and friendly work environment
• Provide benefits and fair remuneration

FAQs

What are some examples of motivation?

Intrinsic Motivation

• Playing sports because you enjoy them
• Improving your diet and fitness to feel healthier
• Helping someone with no expectation of reward
• Donating to a charity or cause you believe in

Extrinsic Motivators

• Working overtime for an increased chance at a promotion
• Buying designer clothing to “fit in”
• Studying hard because your parents want you to get an A
• Fear of punishment – for example, losing your job or getting grounded

How do you demonstrate motivation at work?

• Smiling
• Willing to work overtime to help the business
• Initiative
• Sharing suggestions
• Seeking feedback for work
• Participating in out-of-office events
• Volunteering for challenging projects
• Asking questions about career progression

What are good motivators in the workplace?

• Laying out a clear career path
• Setting attainable targets
• Ensuring your team can speak to you honestly
• Involving your employees with goal-setting
• Leading by example with a positive attitude and friendly demeanor

How can you tell if an employee is not motivated?

• They’re frequently late or absent from work
• They don’t engage with their colleagues
• They’re unfocused