Motivating Employees _ Bringing Out the Best in Your People - Barry Silverstein [8]
Do be aware of how you speak and write—it makes a difference to employee motivation.
Do use active listening in all conversations with employees.
Do try to forestall the us-versus-them workplace mentality.
Do speak clearly and at a comfortable, relaxed pace when addressing staff.
Do use “you” and the person’s name to warm your praise.
Do say “I” when criticizing an employee to diminish the potential for argument.
Don’t forget to use body language to project sincerity, concern, and honesty.
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COMMUNICATION
The way you communicate with employees can have a direct effect on their motivation. Your verbal statements, your body language, and your written communication all play a role in motivating employees.
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POWER POINTS
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BODY LANGUAGE MATTERS
Nonverbal communication can be a powerful motivational tool.
Eye contact expresses sincerity and holds the listener’s attention.
Smiling when you speak makes people want to focus on you.
Relaxed arms and open palms suggest honesty.
Leaning forward signals an attitude of acceptance.
Leaning backward suggests doubt or resistance.
Crossed arms, a furrowed brow, or lack of eye contact imply tension or disagreement.
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The Importance of Listening
A common complaint among employees is that their managers don’t listen to them. This is a certain motivation-killer. One of the best ways to address this issue is to practice active listening.
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The BIG Picture
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LEARNING TO COMMUNICATE
Communication is so important in business that even great managers and leaders are coached at it.
Executive coaches are like personal trainers for business people. In addition to providing career and personal guidance, executive coaches often teach senior managers motivational communication skills. They coach executives in how to make better presentations, how to listen, how to avoid sending negative messages, how to differentiate between assertive and aggressive behavior, how to encourage cooperation, and more.
Ask if your company makes executive coaching programs available to managers or supervisors.
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Active listening focuses on the person who is speaking to you and shows that you understand what is being said. It almost always includes nonverbal cues, such as nodding, smiling, and other expressive reactions, as well as verbal cues and responses, including questions.
Active listeners process what someone else says, rephrase it in their own words, and replay it so the speaker can validate that the message was understood. It is a skill that requires some level of detachment, because your role as an active listener is to demonstrate understanding, whether or not you agree with what the speaker is saying.
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THE BOTTOM LINE
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RECOGNITION BUILDS LOYALTY
Recent studies from the Business Research Lab, a national market research firm, point to a strong association between how long people intend to stay at a company and the recognition they receive there for good work. Notably, there is a strong correlation between the statement “I feel I am contributing to this company’s mission” and the statement “This company gives enough recognition for work that’s well done.” So if there are staff members you particularly value, be sure to give them the praise and rewards they deserve.
SOURCE: Business Research Lab, www.busreslab.com (2005).
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Active listening can be particularly useful in any kind of verbal disagreement. It forces the listener to concentrate on what the other person is saying and to interpret it accurately. As a result, active listening can reduce conflict and avoid contradictory statements. When both parties in an argument are actively listening to one another, they may be better able to reach a resolution.
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CASE FILE
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MOTIVATING WITH PASSION
One trait that makes some business leaders more motivational than others is their passion. In his book, Pour Your Heart into It, Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks, speaks of his “passionate commitment