How to Motivate People At Work
How to Motivate People at Work
People come to work for many reasons, and understanding these reasons helps motivate them to work better.
There are two kinds of motivators: positive and negative.
Negative motivators include threats, sanctions, reprimands, and punishments. These methods should only be used as a last resort or in an emergency. Negative motivators create bad blood and are unsustainable.
Using positive motivation with employees is crucial because it significantly boosts productivity, job satisfaction, and morale. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more engaged, creative, and committed to their work. This supportive environment reduces stress and burnout, fosters a strong company culture, and enhances professional development. Ultimately, a positive and motivating workplace leads to lower turnover, higher customer satisfaction, and attracts top talent, providing a competitive edge for the organisation.
Positive motivation techiques include:
1. Money
Everyone values money because it provides choices.
2. Things equivalent to money
For example, vouchers or time off.
3. Recognition for achievements
People work for medals, awards, and certificates. For example, councils award organisations with bronze, silver, gold, and platinum awards, and companies strive to achieve these.
4. Job security
In an uncertain marketplace, job security is valuable. Most people will work to secure their position.
5. Verbal praise and appreciation
Thanks, praise, and appreciation are free to give and costly not to. Failure to appreciate people causes failure. Give appreciation for good work, and you will see more good work.
6. Investment in professional development
Invest in someone's professional development to motivate them. Tell them you are helping them actualise their full potential. This makes people feel appreciated and valued, and they will work harder.
7. Promise of possible promotion
Without giving cast iron guarantees, telling people their career is on an upward path inspires them to work harder.
Honesty in Motivation
For these methods to be effective, they must be done with complete honesty. Any dishonesty will cause failure. The moment a person is perceived as dishonest, that person loses the trust of others.
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Definition: Positive motivation
Positive motivation is a business management approach that uses rewards, praise, growth chances and trust to drive work. It avoids threats; instead it offers fair pay, recognition and career paths. Leaders act honestly, treat staff with respect, and aim for lasting gains in effort, creativity and loyalty.
Show CG4D Definition
- Relies on attractive rewards rather than punishments
- Builds employee self-worth through genuine praise and recognition
- Offers clear growth and security to link effort with future benefit
- Needs honest, respectful leadership to sustain long-term engagement
Article Summary
When leaders swap threats for seven positive levers-fair pay, useful perks, public praise, awards, job security, skill growth and a clear path up-they spark honest employee motivation that lifts effort, creativity and loyalty while cutting turnover and absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is the main difference between positive and negative motivators?
Why should threats be a last resort at work?
How can money motivate staff without causing jealousy?
Does verbal praise really improve employee motivation?
How does job security act as a motivator?
Why must leaders stay honest when offering rewards or promotion?
What role does professional development play in staff motivation?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace report finds that teams who receive frequent recognition show a 20% rise in productivity and 41% lower absenteeism compared with teams who do not. LinkedIn Learning’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report states that 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career growth.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Motivation
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How to Gain Respect
Learn how to gain respect with ten clear traits: fast choice, honesty, hard work, self-discipline, open talk and calm manners. Build trust at work and in life.
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What is 'Quiet Quitting'?
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Motivation Techniques
Discover motivation techniques that link clear rewards with feared setbacks to spark action, boost goal setting motivation, and help you avoid negative outcomes
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How to Inspire Others
Learn five simple methods to inspire others: speak with positive words, set shared goals, highlight optimism, lead by example and reframe failure into growth.
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