Find Your Employee's Motivation Flavor
-Amanda
You have worked hard to have a diverse workforce that thinks differently and brings varied experiences to the table. It would come to reason that what they value would also be varied. Figuring out what motivates your employees will enable you to make their work life more fulfilling and, in turn, increase your team's productivity. You may be wondering what you need to figure out. Can't you just ask them? Well, you can and should ask them. as noted in “Getting to Know Your Employees”. However, what people think motivates them often might be incorrect or just a part of the story. So as a manager, you will need to place close attention and pivot as needed.
So, where to start? You need to start somewhere, so as a first step, ask the employee what motivates them, and assume that the answer is accurate.
A few examples of motivation are:
Money
Title
Feeling like you are making a difference
Helping others
As you can imagine from this list, what motivates folks and what they 'wish' motivated them can be two different things, coloring their answer when asked. They can also be inspired by more than one factor. Motivational factors depend not only on the individual but on the individual's circumstances.
Let's talk first about the most awkward and obvious, money as a motivator. Since some employees are hesitant to mention it, I like to bring it up immediately, highlighting that it is a legitimate answer. Money seems like a no-brainer since we work for a living. That is until you realize that many studies have found that once needs are met, money does little to motivate folks.
Now, it may be that for even a well-paid employee, money is, in fact, a motivator. Keep in mind that you have no idea what the employee's basic needs are. However, money as a motivator is an answer you should be a little wary of as it is often not the entire story. It might be not the money itself but the fact that a monetary boost or award shows that you value the individual.
If they might not know and you don't know, how do you get towards true motivation? Honestly, as you manage your employee, you just need to pay attention. Keep talking and asking your employees about motivation, and pay heed to how they respond in different situations. Bring your observations to your discussions with the employee. This communication and consideration will give you a good understanding of what your employee values, and you can adjust your messaging, projects, and rewards accordingly.
Motivation for Projects
Knowing what motivates your employees enables you to assign and structure projects accordingly. You can also highlight the communication of a project based on what will inspire them.
For example, these could be two entirely true statements about the same project.
"Your new project is the development of a product that is of top priority with high visibility throughout the enterprise."
"Your new project is the development of a product that is projected to change the quality of life of our end users."
You can see how two employees with VERY different motivations can get excited about an opportunity based on presentation.
Motivation for Rewards
Finding out what motivates folks isn't just so you can assign and structure work to inspire them during their workday. You can also use this information when rewarding and recognizing folks for their efforts. Knowing your employee values enables you to tailor rewards for the individual.
I have been in a situation where I rewarded an employee with a monetary award and received a less than enthusiastic response. It was evident that this award was not what the employee valued. When I did this, I had fallen back from "Treating others like THEY want to be treated" into the "Treat others like you want to be treated" frame of mind. I should have thought about THAT employee. Maybe they would have preferred a spotlight in the company newsletter or some time off.
Once you know someone's motivation, you understand what they value. This understanding goes a long way in you being able to provide a meaningful and inspiring work environment for your employee.