Many managers use endless praise as a means to inspire employees. Being liked to gain acceptance by everyone is another reason managers praise more than provide difficult feedback. When striving for a world-class company culture, this recipe won’t get you there. In fact, it will take you down the wrong road and leave you feeling like a hamster on a hamster wheel. To inspire employees, be genuine, be specific, and develop them.
Inspiration doesn’t come from things and games. Clarity, feeling connected, and having a manager who is consistent will inspire employees to be committed. Employees want to know how what they do impacts the organization’s overall strategies. They want to work with purpose and have recognition for their work when done well.
How Managers Can Inspire and Engage Employees
- Discuss the alignment between their goals and the organization’s top strategies
- Raise the bar with clearly defined goals where they can control the outcome to inspire employees
- Don’t give empty praise – be specific by giving the situation, task, action, and result
- Failure isn’t the end – teach them how to learn from mistakes and failure
- Say thank you, regularly and randomly for more inspired employees
- Show your trust – demonstrate you have faith in their ability to do the job
- Invest in them – provide development opportunities and give them regular one-to-one time with your undivided attention to inspire employees
- Include them – when appropriate, in making big decisions
- Provide socialization opportunities – socialization makes people more committed
- Pay attention – show concern for them as a person to inspire employees
- Meet them where they are – recognize your natural style and adjust to what each employee needs
Managers won’t be liked by everyone all the time and being liked isn’t the goal. Leaders earn respect when they help employees achieve higher performance. They inspire employees when they provide development and growth opportunities. Improving, developing and specific recognition inspires employees and creates a culture people will want to be a part of.
