How to Become a Motivating Manager

Motivation in management is important and keeping employees motivated is about more than simply maintaining productivity and performance. Motivated employees are those who feel supported by their managers day in and day out and are continuously engaged with the work they are doing (3). Managers serve an important role in keeping employees motivated in the workplace, since they hold a unique position of power where they can have more influence over their teams (2). We’ve previously shared our guide on the benefits of motivated employees, now read on to find out our top tips to become a manager who motivates their team.

Motivation in management: 4 tips for becoming a motivating manager

Introduce employee reward strategies

Employees are often heavily motivated by incentives, rewards, and compensation. Offering employees incentives such as short breaks or office perks that could make their lives easier and can help keep them motivated. For example, a NESCAFÉ® coffee machine for the office may help them save time and money on coffee. Offering team incentives can also bring employees together by motivating them to achieve individual and team goals. Employees are often motivated to work harder for leaders they feel care about them, so offering incentives and rewards for hard work and strong performance is a good way to show employees that they are valued (3).

Listen to employees

Listening to employees not only shows respect and boosts employee confidence, but it can also provide information on their wants and needs which can be used to motivate employees to perform at a higher level (2). Employees who are listened to through complaint, comment, or request will feel that the business cares about their thoughts and that they will be supported if needed. A manager who listens to and supports employees may boost engagement and improve their teams’ motivation (3).

Managers that motivate employees provide feedback

Feedback is a way to provide constructive criticism and show employees that you care about their work and are following their progress. Knowing that someone cares about their skills and development can keep employees engaged and motivated to produce quality work. Positive feedback can enhance competence and give employees more confidence in the work that they are doing, boosting their motivation (1). Recognising success can be a powerful motivator, and so can providing guidance on specific things to improve, but feedback is most effective when these are utilised together (5).

Provide opportunity for development

A motivating leader who provides development opportunities enables their team members to learn new skills, doing work they may not have done before. As a result, this keeps them engaged (4). The opportunity to develop new skills that could help someone excel in the business, and in their career, can be a big motivating factor for team members. Motivation in management includes providing opportunities for development that also inspires confidence by leveraging their strengths and keeps them interested in the projects they are currently doing (2).

Motivation in management can manifest itself in different ways. Managers can use a range of approaches to motivate employees and become better leaders. Using rewards or incentives, as well as listening to employees will show them that they are valued and inspire them to continue producing quality work. Providing feedback and opportunities for career development can highlight employees’ strengths and keep them interested in growing their skills. Knowing how to keep teams inspired and engaged will help motivate them towards success in their projects.

Next, see our guide on the best team building activities for further employee motivation and collaboration.

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How to Become a Motivating Manager