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Writer's pictureBirgit Bruckner

The power of motivation: How to inspire and encourage your employees in the long term

In our modern working world, it is often not just salaries and benefits that bind employees to a company and encourage them to perform at their best. Motivation plays a central role. The way in which managers motivate their teams can be crucial to the success of a company. In this article, you will learn ten ways in which you can positively influence the motivation of your employees and which pitfalls to avoid.


Tip 1: Communicate goals clearly 


(+) Set clear and achievable goals.

Clear, specific and achievable goals give your employees direction and a sense of purpose. Use the SMART principle (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) to formulate these goals. 


(-) Set unclear or unrealistic goals. 

Avoid setting vague or unrealistic goals that can overwhelm and frustrate your employees. 


Tip 2: Show recognition and appreciation 


(+) Give praise and recognition regularly.

Regular and authentic praise strengthens your employees' self-confidence and motivates them to achieve top performance. Recognize even small successes and efforts. 


(-) Neglect praise and recognition.

 Don't ignore your employees' achievements. A lack of recognition can lead to demotivation and a drop in productivity.


Tip 3: Creating meaning in everyday work 


(+) Communicate the meaning and purpose of work. 

Employees are more motivated when they know that their work makes an important contribution to the company and society. Communicate the meaning and purpose behind the tasks. 


(-) Present work as a mere duty. 

If employees only see their work as a necessary evil, motivation drops. Avoid presenting work as a purely mechanical duty. 


Tip 4: Offer further development and career opportunities 


(+) Show further training opportunities and career paths. 

Invest in the further development of your employees. Offer training, workshops and clear career paths. 


(-) Lack of development opportunities. 

Without prospects for personal and professional development, motivation can quickly drop. Avoid neglecting these opportunities. 


Tip 5: Grant autonomy 


(+) Give trust and freedom to make decisions. 

Give your employees the freedom to make their own decisions and take on responsibility. This promotes trust and self-motivation. 


(-) Practice micromanagement. 

Excessive control and micromanagement can significantly affect the trust and motivation of your employees. 


Tip 6: Maintain a positive corporate culture 


(+) Create a supportive and open corporate culture. 

Promote a culture of cooperation and open communication. A positive work environment contributes significantly to motivation. 


(-) Tolerate a toxic corporate culture. 

A negative work climate, characterized by mistrust and competitive thinking, can seriously affect the motivation and well-being of your employees. 


Tip 7: Fair compensation and benefits 


(+) Offer fair and performance-based compensation. 

Make sure that your employees are paid fairly and appropriately for their performance. Additional benefits can also have a motivating effect. 


(-) Unfair pay. 

Inequities in pay can lead to dissatisfaction and demotivation. Make sure that your compensation structure is transparent and fair. 


Tip 8: Involvement and participation 


(+) Involve employees in decision-making processes. 

Involve your employees in relevant decision-making processes. This strengthens the feeling of belonging and responsibility. 


(-) Make decisions without consultation. 

If employees feel they have no influence on decisions, this can lead to frustration and demotivation. 


Tip 9: Support work-life balance 


(+) Flexibility and support for a healthy work-life balance. 

Support your employees in achieving a good work-life balance. Flexible working hours and home office options can be helpful. 


(-) Promote a culture of overtime. 

A culture of constant availability and overtime can have a negative impact on the motivation and health of your employees in the long term. 


Tip 10: Promote team spirit and collaboration 


(+) Strengthen team building and cooperation. 

Promote team spirit through joint activities and projects. Good collaboration and a strong team spirit can significantly increase motivation. 


(-) Support the lone wolf mentality. 

A culture that promotes lone wolf mentality and competitive thinking can weaken the sense of community and motivation within the team.

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