Using leadership to create a motivated workforce

To create a motivated workforce, you need to understand why workers may lack motivation in the first place!
The causes and effects of a de-motivated workforce are caused by:

· high staff turnover (a high probability in this economic climate)
· low productivity (can also result from a feeling of job insecurity)
· lack of training (with Train to Gain grants available there is no necessity to cut your training budget)
· a poor workplace atmosphere
· a lot of employee grievances to deal with
This could be caused by:

· predictable, monotonous work
· none or poor skills training
· lack of praise for achievements
· individuals feeling sidelined or ignored
· little opportunity for advancement
· a poor reward structure
Motivating a de-motivated workforce you will need to:

· Demonstrate trust - don't micro-manage. Leave staff to get the job done. Delegating tasks can empower employees and therefore stimulate innovation, just make sure that the ultimate business objective is understood.
· Show respect –respond and act upon what your employees tell you. This may mean investing in new equipment or support if they need it to do their job effectively. By doing this you can demonstrate your trust in their judgment.
· Give encouragement - if someone has made an error, don't criticise. Try and find out what the problem is. Identify if more training is needed. It also helps to offer incentives for achievement.
· Value diversity - what works for motivating one person, will not always work for another. Managers need to be flexible and utilise interpersonal skills to get the very best out of different types of employees.
· Improve Skills of Staff / Training
· Reward good performance – it is essential to set clear objectives and rejoice in employee achievements. Financial rewards can often be beneficial, however any reward needs to be proportionate to the achievement, and the system should be seen as fair and transparent by all staff.
To make sure you have the skills to help you create a motivated workforce,
why not come along to our fully funded ‘Inspirational Leadership and Performance management’ workshop on 20th May 2009Click here for more info: www.bristolbusinesscollege.com/quickinforequest