Motivating employees in a down economy can be a tall task, but with these twelve steps from renowned leadership and corporate culture consultant Joel Zeff, any manager can motivate and encourage employees.
We are all facing challenges. Today, the economy is our main concern. Tomorrow, there will be other obstacles. How do we continue to motivate employees in a down economy and during other difficult times?
First, we need to stop worrying and relax. Give yourself a break. Stop letting the media feed your fears with the dreaded “r” word. Even during an “r,” companies manufacture, transport, distribute, sell, market, advertise, produce, grow, research, develop, entertain, build and purchase. We have to figure out a way to do it without being cranky and stressed. Yes, we need to have more fun. More importantly, we need to motivate and energize our employees to have more fun and increase their passion.
First, we have to create a foundation so that fun can exist. Here are twelve simple ideas to reduce your stress, help in motivating employees and create a foundation to have more fun:
1. Be patient and positive in your tone of voice. Sounds simple, but a reassuring and patient tone in your voice will do wonders for teamwork and for helping reduce stress. As a manager your employees will take their cues from you. If you are stressed and worried, they will be stressed and worried. Be positive. Be happy. Be the guy that brings blueberry muffins to work.
2. Take a break. Again, a simple idea but something that has very real results. Stop, take a break, and then reassess. Just a few moments away will give you the energy to move forward. Your employees need a break just like you. Take a minute out of the day and recognize a manager or employee for having fun and creating spirit.
3. Think about what makes a great day at work. The next time you have fun at work, take a moment to reflect. Write down what happened that made the day so great. What did you do? What did you say? You now have your “great day” list. You know what you need. Work toward it. Fun is different for everyone. Take a few moments each day, gather your team, and ask your employees to share something on their “fun” list.
4. Sometimes you have to ask. If something is bothering you and causing stress, then speak up and say something. Most people will just stew or whine in the break room rather than speak up. If you ask nicely, most people would be happy to oblige and help. They probably don’t even know their words or actions are bothering you.
5. Be in the moment with your co-workers. Working in the moment means being focused and connected. Listen to each other. Make eye contact. Engage in the communication process. Try something new: put your e-mail enabled phone down and communicate with the living, breathing person sitting in your office.
6. Tell your co-workers you appreciate them. We all want positive support at work. When we don’t receive appreciation and thanks, we are not very happy. You know how you feel when someone says, “You made a difference,” or “Great job,” or “I really appreciate your help.” Giving that feeling is a gift. And it doesn’t take a budget, plan, or approval. It just takes a few seconds from your day.
Continue below for six more tips on motivating employees in a down economy, or click on the image for more information on Joel Zeff.
7. Create opportunity. We all want the same things from our jobs: opportunity and positive support. When we don’t receive opportunity and positive support, we are not very happy. Figure out what kind of opportunity you want from your job. Make sure your employer understands what you need to be happy. As a manager, talk to your employees about the opportunities they want today, next month and next year. Together, figure out a way to give them those opportunities.
8. Be a better listener. Everyone thinks they are good listeners. In reality, we get into bad habits that prevent us from being good, active listeners. Pay attention to your listening skills. Listening to each other every day will change our work environment faster than any pizza party, softball game or team building event where you make boats out of cardboard boxes, aluminum foil and paper towels.
9. Be flexible to change. When change happens, ask yourself two important questions: Does this affect my ability to be happy and successful in my job? Does this affect the ability of those around me – my family, colleagues, clients, and vendors – to be happy and successful in their jobs? If both answers are no, then you know the change is not worth creating stress. No matter what happens to the economy, there is going to be change. Most of these changes are out of your control. We may not control the change, but we always control our reaction and attitude.
When we are happy and having fun, we are more creative, productive and effective. We are better leaders. The choice to take ownership of your attitude is an important key to everyone's success.
10. If you really want to reduce your own stress, make a list of everything that caused you stress and frustration in the last week. Take a really hard look at what you wrote. You will giggle. Why? Because most of the things on that list don’t matter. Sure, there are some very important items on the list. Most of the items, though, we will forget about in a short time. Why do we forget? Because they really were not that important. When you are in the middle of a stressful and frustrating situation, take a moment and ask, “Am I going to giggle about this in a week?”
11. Stay in the game. Anyone can quit. You don’t even have to go to school to learn how to quit. And I am not talking about quitting your job. I am talking about quitting goals, challenges, and initiatives. There are many issues during a recession, and the only way you are going to fail is if you quit. If you stay in the game, you might have to communicate, work harder, find a common ground, learn something new or get out of your comfort zone. If you stay in the game, the only thing you have to look forward to is success.
12. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. During my presentations, I use improvisation as a tool to communicate my messages. The audience participants engage in the process with passion and energy. They have fun. They are relaxed. Because they are enjoying the process, they are more creative and productive. Why? They are not afraid of making a mistake. They understand they are working in a positive and supportive environment.
Joel Zeff is a national workplace expert, speaker and humorist. His first book, Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life was just published by John Wiley & Sons. For more information on his book, motivating employees in a down economy, or speaking engagements, call or fill out the form below.
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