Unusual Ways How to Inspire Your Work Team
Unusual Ways How to Inspire Your Work Team
If a manager can be an inspirator and motivator, then the manager can also be the excellent leader of the work team. However, it’s not easy to find ways for inspiration techniques. Read more: Best Practices on How to Engage Small Work Teams.
Motivation and inspiration go hand in hand with success in the working process. But inspiring team productivity can be a major headache. Your employees are from different walks of life – with variations in personalities, working styles, and strengths. So let’s focus on inspiration as a part of success and employees who are filled with happiness.
How does inspiration work?
“First, inspiration is evoked spontaneously without intention. ..Finally, inspiration involves approach motivation, in which the individual strives to transmit, express, or actualize a new idea or vision,” according to Thrash and Elliot.
According to neuroscientific research, the best way to allow inspiration to surface is by disengaging your logic. Did you notice how it says “allow inspiration to surface”? This means that inspiration is always there but isn’t always accessible to our conscious mind.
Why is it important to inspire?
- Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations.
- Inspiration transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.
- Inspiration gives a vivid moment of clarity and can form a grand vision.
- Inspired people were more open to new experiences.
- Inspired individuals also reported having a stronger drive to master their work.
- Inspired people have openness to experience.
Unusual and interesting ways for inspiration
- Flexible scheduling
Offer to your employees to manage their schedule and finish some tasks at home. If there are some duties such as checking email or answering calls, employees can do that at home and be flexible.
“In a Forbes study, 46% of respondents said that flexibility is the most important factor when it comes to job searching. And employers are paying attention: 86% of companies offered some type of flexible schedule [Best Companies to Work For].”
- Offer food
Some snacks or fresh coffee in the morning? There are more ideas on how to offer food for your employees. You can easily improve work quality because satisfied and happy employees are more likely to work productively.
“In fact, a survey by Seamless found that 57% of employees say food-based perks would make them feel more valued and appreciated.” It makes sense: when your employer pays attention to your physical needs, you get the impression that they care about you as a person, not just what you can do for the company.”
- Make an employee CEO for the day
Sounds crazy and impossible? Why could it be useful? Employees crave challenges and thrive when given more responsibilities.
“According to Gallup’s report, 2/3 of employees strongly agreed that they are more engaged when their manager helps them set work priorities and goals.”
More engaged employees tend to be more motivated and more productive. By empowering employees to control their professional careers, you can keep them motivated to reach higher.
Gamification elements at your workplace
Scientific research suggests that our brains are wired to respond strongly to certain types of rewards and recognition. Everyday duties can be more interesting because gamification elements are small tasks that educate, improve skills, and engage in the working process. Try microlearning and gamification and keep employees motivated and happy!
- Team-building day
Make a new tradition at the workplace and organize “Team-building day” with all employees. It can be an entertaining trip, sports activities outside, or planned exercises for making the team stronger and friendlier. Read more: How to do Team-building Remotely.
- Hold daily stand-ups
Make a new habit in the mornings and do a team chat for 10-15 minutes to update each other, address new challenges and today’s aims. These stand-ups can replace long meetings every day in the afternoon.
- Inspiring video/TED talks
Start every week with a small meeting to show an inspirational video for employees about productivity, communication, habits, etc. Another option is to make an afternoon or lunch break meeting where you share videos and motivate the working team for the rest of the day.
- Reward system
If the team has clear targets and aims to reach, they will work to make it real. When monthly aims have been reached, reward employees and offer fun social events like team dinners, a day trip, or sports matches give them something to strive towards.
- Create a unique workspace for employees
Studies have shown that a well-designed office can increase productivity by up to 20%. Natural light, ergonomic chairs, plants, temperature, and color can greatly impact employee happiness and efficiency. So do a survey and ask your employees what they would like to change.
“No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team.” – Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn Co-Founder.
There are many ways to inspire and increase productivity but not always higher remuneration, long vacation, or one strategy for all team members works so well. Try these techniques and interesting ways to inspire employees!
Sources:
[1] https://hbr.org/2011/11/why-inspiration-matters?registration=success
[2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/mind-the-manager/201412/what-motivates-employees-go-the-extra-mile
[3] https://intentioninspired.com/how-inspiration-works/
