The Most Powerful Way to Motivate Your Workers

March 05, 2009

With little or no money for raises or bonuses these days, you may be wondering how it’s possible to keep your workers motivated and satisfied.

Actually, there are lots of low-cost ways to recongize and reward employees for good performance and to keep them satisfied.

The most powerful incentive of all? Recognition.

Any time you recognize an employee for having done something notable or worthwhile, it makes that person feel important. It reinforces his belief that he is making a difference in the organization and his contributions are valued.

Everyone likes praise. That’s why it’s such a strong motivator. And that’s why your employees will continue to engage in desired behavior as long as they continue to be rewarded for it.

And yet we rarely do it. Why is that?

Often, we don’t take time to give praise even when we see an employee doing something right. Why? Maybe we forget just how powerful a motivator it really is. We assume that people know without being told that their efforts are appreciated. Or worse, we assume that a paycheck is a sufficient reward.

Also, we all tend to get caught up in our own work and problems and as a result, we become neglectful to what others are thinking and feeling. Sometimes we just need a reminder.

Put It In Writing

Recognition is especially effective when it’s in writing, for example a memo or a hand-written note. For example, if you give an employee a verbal “thank you for a job well done” and it will brighten his entire day. However, put that same thank you into a hand-delivered memo and he will hold onto that memo for a very long time.

Effective praise generally takes one of two forms: thank you and congratulations.

Thank you memos are a way of expressing your gratitude for something exceptional the employee did. Thank You memos make people feel appreciated. They encourage employees to repeat a particular desired behavior. For example, you might send a thank you to an employee who:

• Goes the extra mile to assist a customer;
• Helps out a coworker;
• Volunteers for additional assignments; or
• Provides suggestions for improvement.

Congratulations memos focus on a individual accomplishments. They empower people by giving them a sense of accomplishment. A memo of congratulations works well for example, following:

• A particular work-related achievement, such as a certification, award or some other accomplishment;
• A new or difficult assignment; or
• Successful completion of a project or milestone. The precipitating event doesn’t need to be something never before accomplished in human history. It can be any personal achievement for which the individual has reason to be proud.

In either case - whether you choose to write a thank you memo or a congratulations memo, here are a few guidelines to follow.

1. Issue it promptly. The longer you wait following the accomplishement or good deed, the less impact the memo will have on the employee.
2. Be sincere and straight-forward. Insincere puffery can do more harm than good because employees are able to see right through it.
3. Be specific. Make sure it is clear exactly what the employee did that was deserving of recognition.

Giving praise will motivate your employees to engage in the kinds of behaviors you want from them. A written note of thanks or congratulations from you, the manager is always greatly appreciated and highly valued.

To make the job easier, you can find a dozen sample memos on the Expert Supervisor website. There are sample accolades for employees who provide exceptional customer service, promote teamwork, and demonstrate a positive attitude, flexibility, or accountability.

To view these sample memos, click on Accolades or login and click on Accolades.

Stephen K. Foster, Ph.D., SPHR
Canopy Software, Inc.
1493 Market Street
Tallahassee, FL 32312
(850) 294-5513

E-mail me at: Steve.Foster@ExpertSupervisor.com.