Motivate Your Team

Employee motivation is incredibly important to team morale, but it’s not always apparent how to achieve it. Some companies put forward efforts such as adding game equipment or free snacks, but an air hockey table is not necessarily the most professional look for many insurance offices—and may become a distraction. 

But employee motivation and increased productivity don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, one can often drive the other. Making a workplace into a professional, yet comfortable, ecosystem can help established employees thrive, and be a welcoming environment for new hires.

Fortunately, motivating your team can be accomplished in a few different ways:

Communicate, communicate, communicate

I stress this often with my own team. Without communication, you don’t have much of a relationship, and in this industry, relationships are paramount. Nine times out of ten, when there’s a problem, it can be traced back to a lack of communication.

To shore up your communication practices, start by showing employees the direct results of their efforts. If you have a client who tells you, even in passing, that your team member did something well that translated to success on their part, let your employee know. 

Be more observant, too. When you see your people doing things right, let them know. Recognize achievements, especially if they seem small. 

Tailor your management style

I tend to have a more hands-off approach to management, but that’s easier to achieve because my team members are all seasoned people who understand my expectations and have already set their own personal goals. If your team isn’t there, or needs a refresher, it’s important to provide more support and guidance. As a manager, your role is to be a resource for your people. And according to a recent Gallup poll, only 2 out of 10 workers strongly agree that their performance is managed in such a way to motivate them to do outstanding work.

Provide growth opportunities

If you give your people the chance to learn more about the industry or about techniques that can be widely applied, you’ll see a host of benefits. They’re more likely to see an issue with fresh perspective. There’s also less room for an employee to feel stuck. While there is always a chance someone might move on after receiving quality training, the worker will likely appreciate a workplace that invests in them.

At The James Allen Companies, we believe that a motivated team is a powerful force for your company. With some simple tweaks to your management style, and some attention to communication and recognition, you can help build morale in your company culture. For more information or for help in building a team of powerhouse employees, contact us today.