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.