Finding the Right Way to Motivate Your Employees

Fear, Incentives and Growth

Zig Ziglar says that there are three main ways to motivate people in general and employees specifically. They are fear, incentives and growth. Let’s take a look at each one.

Fear. This is not good. Number one, it isn’t right, and number two, it doesn’t work well in the long run and isnt good for the overall health of the organization. Yet, still there are people who use it. They make blatant or veiled threats in order to get people to work. There is a better way.

Incentives. John Maxwell says that What gets rewarded, gets done. This is the technique that says, If you do this, then you will get this. The problem Ziglar sees, and I concur, is that people will be led this way for a while, and it will surely be profitable and productive. Yet eventually, most people come to the end of being driven by incentive. This is because most people are innately driven by something even deeper.

Growth. Personal growth. Do you ever wonder how the personal growth industry has gotten so huge? It is because it scratches an itch that lies within each person. Every person has within them, a desire to get better. Now, obviously, some are more in tune with that desire than others, but each person has it, and it can a great motivating factor.

First, here is how it doesn’t work. You don’t say If you do this, then I will give you a personal growth opportunity. That is still incentive.

Here is how it does work: You simply make it a core value of your business or organization that management will give regular opportunity for personal and professional growth to all members of the staff.

I say both personal and professional growth very purposely. There will always be the opportunity and need for professional growth, and the employees expect that. They may or may not appreciate it though.

However, personal growth opportunities, given with no strings attached, will be appreciated, and rewarded with ultra-motivated employees. Here are some simple ideas:

A Family Library stocked with books and tapes that help them in their family life.

A Financial Resources section.
Any kind of Development Seminar that will benefit the employee.
Days off to pursue personal development opportunities.

Invest in your employee’s personal growth and they will reward you with high motivation!

Think you can’t make a difference all by yourself? This is a poem that came into my email this past week. The author is Unknown.

The Power of One!

One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring

One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom

One step must start each journey
One word must start each prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care

One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know whats true
One life can make the difference
You see, its up to you!!

(Author Unknown)
Until next time, remember: You were Made for Success!

About the author:

Chris Widener is the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Get Chris FREE Made for Success Ezine by sending a blank email to success-on@mail-list.com or visit his website at madeforsuccess.com.

:To contact see details below.


chris@madeforsuccess.com
http://www.madeforsuccess.com/