Revitalized...

by Sam Manfer

Everyone wants to do well at work, especially these days. However, additional stress and heavier workloads can leave some employees without the oomph to perform to their potential. How can you help the motivationally bankrupt replenish their reserves? Heed these dos and don’ts:

• Don’t assume. Your employees are talented, experienced, intelligent people. Still, you can’t assume that means they have the magical ability to get inside your head and know exactly what you want. It’s motivationally draining for workers to continually try to decipher their manager’s needs. Stop the motivational hemorrhaging by making your wants and needs perfectly clear.

• Do coach. What’s the common denominator among the world’s elite athletes? Coaching. If even the most heralded champions still need coaching, then so do the most experienced workers. Providing continual guidance and training will help motivate your staff to stretch their skills and move on to the next level.

• Don’t overlook. Little things mean a lot—especially in the workplace. If you fail to recognize the little things employees do well, they may lose the motivation to try bigger things. Small successes can add up to big triumphs.

• Do acknowledge. Being a manager doesn’t exempt you from the same motivational problems that befall employees. Be aware of your own limitations. When you’re having a bad day, acknowledge it to yourself and try to avoid the temptation to take it out on the people around you. Bosses who give in to the occasional urge to rage at the world can do a lot of damage to the morale of their employees. You don’t have to be superhuman, but sometimes you do have to make a superhuman effort to rise above it all for the sake of your staff.