How To Effectively Inspire Employees
I think that we all can agree that super-charged and inspired employees do much more for your business and your customers than those who don’t really care about the job they do. Here’s how to effectively inspire employees to show enthusiasm for the job they’re doing.
The problem is that an uninspired employee isn’t going to declare next Monday morning that she’s totally disengaged. Failing to spot this can be a significant issue for today’s businesses owners. Don’t bet the farm that this phenomenon doesn’t affect your business. A recent report from Gallup entitled, State of the American Workplace, says that just 30% of U.S. employees are engaged and inspired at work. Doing the math, that means that there’s about 70% of workers who are half-heartedly phoning-it-in or maybe even completely-tuned-out. But despite these numbers, there are employees who want to be inspired, and they want to accomplish things for great organizations. Here are some easy things you can do to help them in your company.
1. Show them an inspiring vision.
As the leader, you must paint an inspiring picture of where your company is headed in the future. An effective vision has two components: a core ideology and an envisioned future. The core ideology is the enduring character of your business…the glue that holds your company together…including your core values and core purpose. Your envisioned future includes the momentous and inspiring kinds of goals that get people excited about coming to work. To inspire employees, you should give them a vivid description of what the world will be like when your company’s goals are achieved.
2. Show them how they fit into the vision.
After you communicate the vision, it’s critical to connect them to it, showing everyone exactly what their roles are in making it come true. Everyone in your company needs to know how their function helps to achieve the ultimate goals of the company. When your employees know what roles they play in achieving your vision, they’ll feel a sense of personal pride and engagement that will move your business forward. As the leader, you need to draw the dots and help your team connect them.
3. Create a culture of courage.
It stands to reason that when your employees are afraid to make mistakes, they’re going to be hesitant to come forward and to try anything new and different… they’ll avoid taking any chances at all. Risk-awareness has its place, but a firm grip on the status quo results in many companies means failing to have the nimbleness to respond to changes in the marketplace—they can’t innovate, especially when they’re forced to do so. First, remove the sources of fear and build up organizational courage. Rather than punishing or discouraging your staff from taking risks or trying innovative approaches, you should foster a culture of expecting such activity and inspire employees to show initiative.
4. Reward those who take smart risks.
Once you have a solid environment of courage, reward your employees who are courageous and who take wise risks. A failure can be a positive when
lessons are learned from it ultimately help your team achieve the organization’s goals. Reward employees who are willing to take risks in pursuit of ideas in which they truly believe. Find the best and most effective ways to reward smart risk-taking in your company and do it regularly—and in a way that’s highly visible to the entire team.
5. Thank them profusely.
Now that you inspire employees and they’re embracing your vision and beginning to be courageous and taking risks, say thank you… a lot. There’s really no way to put a value on a staff of inspired and engaged employees. Do everything you can to keep them happy and on your team for as long as possible.
Contact us for Free Information
This link will take you to a page on my website where you can enter your email address and get up to 25 free documents to help you buy, sell or run your business and sign up for my free monthly newsletter.