Motivating & Inspiring Your Team

Congratulations –you’ve just assembled a team of rock stars to support your company’s goals but now what? Hiring the right people gets you off to a running start but to be truly successful, you need a team that is engaged and inspired. That’s where you come in.

As a leader, it is your job to inspire and motivate your team to reach their full potential. Try practicing some of these tips below to set you on your way!

1. Get to know your employees

Not all conversations with your employees need to be purely about business – get to know them on a personal level as well. Employees who feel valued and understood are far more likely to be engaged and receptive to your influence.

2. Make your intentions clear

For your team to succeed, they need to understand what you expect of them, not only in the short-term but in the future. Creating an action plan and setting out clear and specific deadlines is essential in propelling this process. You might consider breaking down your long-term objectives into more bite-sized, manageable goals for your team to keep them engaged and motivated. And don’t forget to celebrate those small successes along the way!

3. Communicate regularly with your team

Part of clear goal-setting involves effective communication. Communication plays a vital role in any relationship, including the one between a manager and their employees. Consistent communication, whether in-person or remotely, can help increase engagement among employees. Keeping the lines of communication open will also help managers understand what their team is working on. This makes it much easier to help individuals who need guidance along the way.

4. Let your team get on with it

Once you have laid out and communicated your goals to the group in a specific, measurable, and time-based fashion, stand back and let them reward your confidence in them. As a manager, when you grant autonomy instead of micro-managing, you demonstrate that you not only have trust in your team but you will also develop a stronger bond with them. We all value our independence and want to feel in control of our time and energy and that goes for our employees too.

5. Show your appreciation

When an employee hits a goal, puts in extra effort, or goes above and beyond to hit a deadline, tell them that you’re grateful for them and be specific in your praise. We all like to be valued and appreciated!

Calling an employee to tell them they did a great job and explaining how their hard work benefited the business can inspire them even more. And while financial rewards are very motivating, don’t discount allowing more responsibility and independence as a reward for a job well done.

6. And, finally, lead by example

Leading by example is the most effective way for managers to influence their employees. How you choose to handle a situation or solve a problem can significantly influence your team. As a leader, you must demonstrate the attributes you require in others. If, for example, you want to cultivate a positive attitude in your employees, handle challenges with a level head and with the expectation that you will find a solution. In other words, practice what you preach!