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Motivate and engage employees through effective communication


Managers should not only motivate, but also engage employees for better outputs.  A manager has to deal with people who have different personalities, prejudices, feelings, tensions, emotions and attitudes based on their own frame of reference which they bring to the workplace every day. 

To motivate employees, their needs should firstly be understood as well as that many employees are not only motivated by a salary. Good managers show an interest in their employees and their personal lives. There are also many other factors which might play a role in motivation, for example being given more responsibilities in the business. Employees want to be recognized, empowered and even challenged.

A manager should also create a working environment which will contribute to employees’ work satisfaction.  Part of this is to create an interest in the business and its activities. Employees on all levels should have a good understanding of the business and their own roles in achieving business objectives. Effective business communication plays a major role in creating a more contented work environment.  Many businesses introduce employee recognition programmes which recognize performances after business goals were achieved.

However, research indicates that satisfied employees are not necessarily engaged.
A manager should also engage employees by giving them more ownership of their tasks and opportunities for growth. An engaged employee is more positive, committed and feels that he or she is being trusted by the manager.  By connecting to business goals, engaged employees become more proactive.

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