How to motivate your team – 5 methods that work

On average, according to statistics, people work for about 35 years of their lives, based on a calculation of 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

However, individuals are increasingly facing a lack of motivation and wish to put in minimal effort at their jobs.

Thus, the term “quiet quitting” emerged — a continuation of the “great resignation” trend that gained momentum starting in 2021.

Table of contents:

• What does quiet quitting mean?
• Workplace motivation
• Team motivation
• The Golden Rule of team motivation

What does quiet quitting mean?

The phenomenon of “quiet quitting” refers to the decline in employee engagement and motivation at the workplace.

Employee motivation appears to be the secret ingredient for better results on an individual, team, and company level.

What does workplace motivation involve?

Motivation is the conscientious and goal-oriented execution of tasks, which always involves an incentive. This incentive can be a reward in the form of praise, bonuses, fun, salary, opportunities for development, and promotion.

Team motivation can make a significant difference in achieving better results and building stronger relationships.

Workplace motivation is a key factor in building a successful team.

Team motivation – Employee motivation methods

Here are 5 ways you can motivate your colleagues and/or employees and reach your goals together:

1. Clear vision and objectives

You can only motivate and inspire your team if they know what they’re working toward.

Make sure employees and colleagues are aware of your vision and understand the ultimate goals of the business or department. If the team is not aware of the bigger picture, they won’t be able to help you achieve the organization’s objectives.

No matter how big or small the company is, one of the best tools for setting clear goals is communicating them through regular employee review meetings.

👉 See my masterminds and trainings for companies and teams!

2. Communication and Feedback – Top methods for motivating employees

Communication is a two-way street, and you should ensure there’s a constant flow of dialogue between you and your colleagues or employees.

This not only helps keep them informed about what needs to be done, but also gives you the chance to listen to their ideas, opinions, and feedback.

Quarterly or annual one-on-one reviews with each team member can encourage effective communication, providing the right setting for constructive feedback from both sides.

3. Remote work and flexible schedules

We live in an age where remote work and flexible schedules have become increasingly popular.

Studies show that allowing employees to work remotely and offering flexible hours can:

• Increase productivity
• Improve efficiency
• Reduce stress levels
• Boost morale and engagement
• Lower employee turnover
• Have a positive impact on the environment

4. Opportunities for Personal and professional growth

Team members feel more valued when they are learning and improving. To motivate and inspire your team to achieve better results, you should offer employees more than just a salary and vacation time — provide opportunities for growth and development.

The goal is to work with them individually and as a team to reach shared objectives. Some helpful methods include training, team building, coaching, and mentoring. These activities bring several benefits, such as:

• Getting to know colleagues on a more personal level
• Developing communication skills – see the DISC test for employees!
• Enhancing leadership skills – check out the Leadershift program!
• Stepping out of their comfort zone
• Becoming aware of personal and team values and how they influence actions – explore the personal development game Attitude Matters!
• Improving problem-solving abilities – explore our coaching programs!
• Having fun and doing something engaging

5. A Positive work environment

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs identifies five basic human needs:

• Physiological needs
• Safety needs
• Love and belonging
• Esteem
• Self-actualization (Growth and Development)

👉 Learn more about Leadershift – The Online Leadership Course for Entrepreneurs and Managers, structured into 4 modules.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and team motivation

Using Maslow’s Hierarchy to Create a Positive Work Environment
Maslow’s hierarchy can serve as a framework for every workplace to build a positive and motivating environment:

• Basic/Physiological needs, such as water, food, and rest breaks (for example, provided when people are at the office and/or covered through meal vouchers when working from home)
• Safety needs, through job stability and a well-rounded benefits package (which might include, for instance, private health insurance)
• Love and belonging, by creating a positive social network among colleagues and managers (for example, a budget allocated for team outings or department get-togethers)
• Esteem, by recognizing and appreciating employees’ work (for instance, through “Employee of the Month” awards or thank-you cards that can be given online or offline by team members)
• Self-actualization (growth and development), through training programs, mentoring, and career development plans that support both personal and professional advancement

According to a study, 35% of employees want more recognition at work.

This shows that employee engagement, motivation, and the fulfillment of their needs are closely connected.

The Golden Rule of team motivation

There’s a well-known Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

But there’s also the Platinum Rule: “Treat others the way they want to be treated, not the way you want.”

Motivating your team means understanding what truly matters to each individual — and treating them the way they want to be treated, not necessarily how you prefer.

What has worked for you so far?

Tell us in the comments!