New year, new motivations

It’s Lee again! Happy New Year! As the holiday dust settles and we get back into the swing of things at the top of Q1, you may be asking yourself: Is everyone motivated to start this new year together?

Of all of the motivating factors that drive employee productivity, meaningful work is at the top of the list. So how do we motivate teams and help employees find their purpose? Let’s dive in. ??

Recently, a persistent theme seems to have emerged, capturing our collective consciousness: motivation.?

Managers frequently find themselves in a challenging position when it comes to motivating disengaged employees. The task of inspiring individuals who lack enthusiasm or motivation can be perplexing. It demands a nuanced approach that involves understanding each employee's unique needs and concerns, identifying the root causes of their demotivation, and then tailoring strategies to rekindle their sense of purpose and commitment to their work.

There are many reasons why motivation can dip. Some examples of that are:

1. The employer and employee values do not match
2. Lack of recognition/appreciation
3. Inadequate compensation
4. Lack of career growth opportunities
5. Job insecurity
6. Monotonous and repetitive tasks
7. Unclear goals and expectations
8. Poor work-life balance
9. Lack of self-efficacy
10. External factors
11. Etc. (The list really can go on and on…)

According to McKinsey & Company, meaningful work has been consistently ranked as the top priority for Americans in their jobs over the last three decades, surpassing income, job security, and working hours. Let that sink in for a second! The report reveals that 70% of individuals derive their sense of purpose primarily from their work. However, it's concerning to note that the same report highlights that only half of all workers feel that their work is meaningful.

So what is the monetary value of this ‘meaningful work’? A study by Harvard Business Review found that more than 9 out of 10 employees would even be willing to earn less money to pursue more meaningful work. On average, workers surveyed said that they’d be willing to sacrifice 23% of their entire future lifetime earnings for a job that always gave them meaning and purpose. This data shows that fostering a sense of purpose in the workplace is not something that should be taken lightly.

I think HR professionals and employers are often getting caught up in trending topics like ‘back to the office’ or ‘compensation transparency’ when the elephant in the room is about fostering deeper discussions around employee transformation and progression.?

Harnessing the power of change can invigorate your team and generate a motivated culture that ensures everyone prospers.?

This process can be a complex puzzle for managers, but with patience, empathy, and a willingness to address underlying issues, they can unlock the potential for renewed motivation and productivity among their team members.

Talk Again Soon

That’s all for this Culture Corner! ??

Tell me: How do you get your team motivated? I’d love to take your learnings and expand on them more in a future edition. Reply here — let’s keep the convo going!

P.S. Join us at our next hell&demo on Tuesday, January 23rd at noon Eastern/9 am Pacific. Enjoy a demo of Confetti’s Black History & Culture Trivia plus a Q&A with one of our lovely account managers. You may even win some Confetti Credits that you can put towards your next event. Don’t wait - register today !?

With love,?

Lee Rubin (she/her)?

CEO & Founder of Confetti