You hire employees to do a certain job, to carry out certain tasks, to handle key responsibilities—and when your employees do all those things (and do them well), you can call it a win.
But when employees go the extra mile—putting in extra energy, extra passion, and extra creativity, above and beyond what the job description calls for—that’s when your team really starts achieving at a high level. It’s also when you know that you have a true culture of engagement.
With that said, what are some things you can do to encourage your employees to take those extra steps? Here are some ideas for how to motivate employees even beyond what their core responsibilities entail.
How to Motivate Your Employees to Take Those Extra Steps
- Communicate, communicate, communicate
An important way to encourage employees to take those extra steps is to help them feel a sense of ownership in what they’re doing—and that’s largely a matter of communication. Provide a clear sense of mission, but also take questions and solicit feedback. Let employees feel like their ideas are heard and valued; that it’s their project as much as it’s yours.
- Create a Sense of Belonging
When employees feel like they are just doing busy work, that hardly motivates them to take extra steps. But when your employees feel like they directly contribute to your overall goals or objectives—and when they see how their role works within the bigger picture—that helps them feel like they belong to something important. Always stress how each employee and each role is an asset to the team.
- Lead by Example
Of course, if you want employees to invest the maximum creativity and focus in each project, you’ve got to model that yourself. Leaders who show up late for work each day, or take every other afternoon to go golfing, rarely motivate their employees to true excellence.
- Recognize and Reward
Make sure your employees are acknowledged for the good work they do, especially in those instances where they go above and beyond. Public praise and/or rewards show employees that you see their extra effort and genuinely appreciate it.
Learn More About How to Motivate Employees from Dr. Rick Goodman
As a leader, your ability to motivate the team is critical. Make sure you are practicing the kinds of leadership skills that cultivate employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. To learn more about this unique transformational leadership approach, reach out directly: Contact Dr. Rick Goodman at www.rickgoodman.com or 888-267-6098.