16 Motivating Factors To Use in the Workplace for More Productive Employees
Motivation can help businesses have more productive and committed employees. This trait is the influence for getting tasks done. Learning what motivates people can help you appeal to your employers and encourage them to work toward your goals. In this article, we explore what motivation is, why it’s important in the workplace, provide a list of motivation factors and offer tips for motivating people effectively.
What is motivation?
Motivation is the reasoning for goal-focused behavior. In the workplace, this refers to the level of commitment and innovation employees showcase. Motivation is the emotional, biological, cognitive and social factors influencing an action. There are two main types of motivation:
- Intrinsic motivation: Intrinsic motivation is the incentive to do something based on your interest in the activity with no external motivators.
- Extrinsic motivation: This type of motivation occurs when external rewards, such as money, influence your behavior.
Why is motivation important?
Motivation in the workplace can help encourage employees to work hard and remain dedicated to the organization. It helps speed up productivity and helps employees strive to produce high-quality work. Other benefits of motivation include lower rates of absent employees, more innovation and greater company culture.
What motivates people?
Here’s a list of 16 motivating factors to try at work:
1. Aligning with larger goals
One motivating factor is the ability to align your goal with a much larger one. It can be rewarding when employees feel they helped support their organization’s cause or mission. They feel motivated when their work matches their company’s larger goals.
2. Creating history
Some people want to be remembered in history for creating a significant contribution. For them, legacy is what motivates them to work harder. They want to make a difference in the lives of their consumers.
3. Meeting a deadline
Those motivated by deadlines may use the time restrictions to help them work better. This gives them a clear goal to work up to and often helps them feel accomplished once they complete an assignment. Consider setting more deadlines for individuals who have this motivating factor.
4. Being able to speak
Individuals can feel inspired when they can freely share their opinions with others. Feeling involved can help keep these types of people engaged. During a meeting, ask them for their feedback or opinions.
5. Wanting to be the best
Some people are interested in becoming the best and breaking previously set records. They look for the attention from ranking the top in a category or winning. Employees looking to become the best will sacrifice time and energy to reach this level. Holding an office-wide competition can help motivate employees seeking to beat others in a challenge.
6. Having clear expectations
When individuals know exactly what their management wants from them, they feel confident to perform their duties. It may also be helpful to provide them with a reason for why the task needs done so they understand the overall vision. Let your employees know what success looks like and what goals the company has.
7. Receiving recognition
Being recognized for contributions can help individuals increase their productivity. It helps them feel appreciated for their abilities and output. One way employers can use this motivator is by offering rewards and incentives for certain actions or behaviors.
8. Helping others
Some people become satisfied after accomplishing a task or mission to help others. In the workplace, this may occur when they assist customers. It may be helpful to use these types of employees in customer-service positions, where they can see how their efforts impact others.
9. Gaining power or fame
Another motivator is the desire of becoming a leader. These types of people want to use a position of power to help an organization achieve great goals. Consider implementing an employee of the month system to help employees feel famous in their position.
10. Fulfilling their passion
Certain employees focus on intrinsic motivation and are inspired to do their job because it’s something they enjoy. When employees feel passionate about the work they do, they’re more likely to have high levels of productivity. One way you can encourage this passion is by being a passionate leader.
11. Overcoming opposition
Having an opponent or opposition can sometimes help influence an individual to work harder. This creates a sense of competition and makes them want to outperform others. Consider holding a contest between different departments in the office to encourage employees with this motivator to work harder.
12. Being in control
Others find rewards in being able to control their office space, team or other related components of the workplace. Control gives them a sense of power and order. Allow some flexibility for these types of people by telling them what they can do.
13. Proving others wrong
When some people hear others tell them they can’t do something, it motivates them to try. This influence can encourage employees to try something they feel is outside of their comfort zone in order to prove others wrong and go beyond their expectations. Once they accomplish the task, they may feel a burst of power and intelligence.
14. Creating change
Another motivating factor for employees is the desire to change their organization or industry for the better. The idea of improvement impels them to perform to make new developments. To use this motivator, consider including these types of employees in meetings about the future direction for the company or department.
15. Feeling they belong
Belonging can be a motivating factor for individuals who care about their social status and relationships. These employees may work best when they feel they are part of the organization. Consider how the structure of your workplace and rearrange desks to be closer so employees can build bonds.
16. Developing in their career
An advancement in their career may be the influencing factor for other employees. They look to develop their industry-related skills and seek additional knowledge or training. Provide ongoing career development opportunities, such as workshops or performance reviews.
Tips for motivating people
Use these tips when trying to motivate others in your workplace:
- Emphasize progress. Consider holding regular performance reviews to go over how much employees have progressed as a way to motivate them to continue the hard work.
- Set a challenge. Encourage employees to create something inspiring by setting a challenge that exceeds what they believe is possible.
- Appeal to an employee’s emotions. Both positive emotions, such as pride and negative emotions, such as fear, can help motivate others to do a certain task.
