Leadership in Action – How to Motivate Teams

Engagement from the outset and throughout their period of employment is key to motivating teams. Here’s how I approach it:

1. Responsibilities and Expectations: Ensure that team members understand what is expected of them and how their work impacts others. Provide clarity on business expectations and seek clarity on their expectations from the business. Compare these expectations to identify any gaps.
2. Effective Communication: Communicate in an adult and objective manner, staying calm and composed. Use self-awareness and emotional intelligence to tailor communication to how each individual learns and processes information. Misunderstandings often lead to underperformance, so clear communication is crucial.
3. Coaching and Mentorship: Once you understand the needs and expectations, provide coaching and mentorship to support their development and align them with business needs. Offer training to address knowledge gaps and set regular review sessions to monitor progress and adjust the approach as needed.
4. Consistency and Motivation: Be consistent in your approach. Financial incentives can help, but alignment with expectations and clear pathways to achieve goals are more important. Praise and engage your team regularly, and address issues early with open, adult conversations. Include team members in devising and implementing solutions.
5. Managing Misalignment: If a team member consistently fails to meet expectations despite support, they may not be the right fit for the role. Handle this situation with objectivity and adherence to HR best practices and employment laws. How you manage such situations will significantly impact your team’s culture and morale.

A great culture is a powerful motivator. Handling negative situations well is crucial and will be remembered by the team.

The above approach, when done effectively and consistently, can help turn around disillusioned team members and set new ones on the right path. High-pressure environments are tough enough without adding unnecessary challenges for your teams. Support them to succeed.

Please share your thoughts and what has worked for you. If you want to discuss this directly, feel free to message me.

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