Motivation

Always a hot topic.

Motivation comes from within, and is based on these three needs:

• Autonomy
• Relatedness
• Competence
  
  How can you apply these to your team?

Autonomy: When people feel like they are in charge, they’re more motivated.  So next time you assign a project, frame the information or situation in a way that gives them control.

Relatedness: When talking to team members about goals, projects and tasks, share how it helps them, the team, the company, the client and/or the world.

Competence: People feel best when they are learning and growing. Even learning unrelated to work can improve on-the-job performance. Encourage team members to follow a passion they have: salsa dancing, guitar lessons, cooking classes or even CrossFit.

More time spent on communicating the work can save time on the work.

Want to know more? Watch Dan Pink's video on Drive.

What's your language?

We hear with our ears, but believe with our eyes.

What they see is important. As a leader, you will be more effective if you can convey a non-verbal message that matches your verbal message. Check your body language when you are about to offer feedback, run a meeting, or ask for their input.

Here's your 6-point checklist:
1. Head - Is it held straight with confidence or tilted to show listening? - Check!
2. Eyes - Are you focused on the triangle of their face (eyes up to forehead)? - Check!
3. Expression - Smile for good news. If it's not, a frown is best to show concern. - Check!
4. Shoulders - They should be down and relaxed, exuding calmness. - Check!
5. Hands - Use uncrossed arms and open gestures. - Check!
6. Feet - Planted? - Check!

Super! You look the part. Now, what are you going to say?
 

How open is your open door policy?

We've all heard the expression “my door is always open.” Is it really?

And what does that look like for those who work remotely?

Working out of sight can lead to negative assumptions about you not being available, approachable or helpful.

Use technology to make it feel like you’re connected and set a collaborative tone.

 Ideas:

• Send a quick text or ping when you ‘arrive’ in the morning: “Hi, I’m here if you need me.”
• Send a check-in ping: “Good morning, how’d that big deal phone call go yesterday?  I’m here if you’d like to chat about it.”
• Share your schedule with the team: “As you can see on the shared calendar, I’m in meetings most of the day but have a spot open at 1 pm if anyone needs me."
• Let them know when you are free to chat: “I’m taking a short coffee break at 10:30, does anyone want to jump on a call and talk about This is Us?”

BTW: the picture below is a sample of Ann and Karen communicating remotely.  Bees = at work, Koalas mean we're done for the day. And Thumbs up?  Well, you get it.  

 What do you do to build rapport and keep your door open even when you’re remote?

 

 

Employees deserve love, too

Happy Valentine's Day!

Although it's often thought to only apply to romantic relationships, V-day is a great chance to show everyone around that you care. 

This month, Forbes published a list of four ways to remind your team that they are valued: 

1. Intentional conversations:  Try going for coffee or stopping by their desk and have a conversation that starts with "What are you working on?"  Choose a curious tone vs a judgemental tone.
2. Show them they're needed:  Write an email to someone outside of your team and mention the positive actions of someone on your team.  CC that person.
3. Challenge them: Share a project you are working on and ask if they'd like to help with part of it.  Then ask what part. 
4. Recognize their individuality: Stop by their desk, look them in the eye and thank them, sincerely for a task they did that required effort. 

Better than chocolate?  Yes, because these tips won't give you cavities or add to your middle.  

How do you share the love?

They didn't get there alone

This evening, we'll watch the opening ceremony for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

We look to these athletes as the pinnacle of determination, skill, and effort. What we often forget is that they have an extensive support team that works with them, for them, and because of them. That support may be in the form of mentoring, parenting, teaching, investing, managing or coaching - and it all matters.

But when it comes down to it, the athlete is the only one competing for gold.

Consider this as you manage your team today.  Your job is to provide direction, coaching, and encouragement, but not to do the task.  Get off the field, outta the pool, and let them win.

Word of the Day

Copyright: 123RF Stock Photo

Spot the difference:

"Let’s get this done."

"Let’s get this done together."

Yes, just one little word. Together. It turns out that the feeling of working together can lead to greater motivation, engagement, and performance. Even as teams are growing more and more virtual, often leading to individual work, simply using this word can help motivate as a team. The word "together" signals that you belong, you’re connected, and there are others you can trust.

Let’s try it- together. 

What do you do here?

Legend has it that when President John F. Kennedy was on his way to give his infamous speech backing the Apollo missions, he got lost in a hangar, and found himself talking to a Janitor. 

The President asked, "What do you do here?"
The Janitor replied, "Mr. President, I'm putting a man on the moon."

What's the point of this story?

Engaged employees aren't mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms, they're shooting for the moon.

To apply this thinking to your team,  Dr. Jane Dutton suggests distributing customer testimonials to link their actions to success or announcing when company profits are donated to charities to create a sense of purpose.  

• Do your CSR's answer phones? Or do they supply warmth to people's homes?
• Does your IT team reset passwords? Or stop cybercrime? 

We offer more ideas like this in our Managing a Multi-Generational Workplace workshop.  Let us know if you'd like more info.