Allen Woo explains how to motivate individual team members in a workgroup

In order to have your own business and work in leadership positions, it is of utmost importance to understand and know how to motivate a team. People who do what they like, feel that the value of their work is recognized and are comfortable in their professional environment, work more motivated and provide better results to the company. What’s more, having a motivated team is often synonymous with a lower employee turnover rate, which, if high, can both harm production and generate recruitment and selection costs. Allen Woo, a professional team and people developer, explains how team members can be effectively motivated.

In order for your employees to perform their duties properly, they need to have a good understanding and awareness of what you expect from them. Therefore, as a team leader, you have to be transparent and specify the work to be performed by each of the members as well as their objectives. Likewise, for the business itself, being clear is also important, as you must have a specific purpose along with a well-defined organizational culture so that workers identify and share goals with the company.

“Knowing that you are walking together in the right direction will motivate them,” Woo says. “If employees understand what the company is aiming for, they will align their expectations and strategize more assertively to achieve the goals. Therefore, direct and objective communication avoids misunderstandings and leads to harmony among professionals.”

Businesses in which the leader is always present and willing to talk to the teamwork better because, in this way, employees know they can turn to him when they have suggestions, doubts, criticisms, or problems. In any case, if you cannot be physically present in your company, you can open online communication channels with your team members so that, when you are not there, they can find you.

The businesses that manage to generate the maximum possible profit are those that recognize the importance of employees and treat them as collaborators, that is, people who apply their skills to help the organization succeed. However, if you want your employees to collaborate on any objective, you have to make them feel part of it. This implies defining the role of each of the members of your team. “Don’t be afraid to show them what they have to do to make the overall system work. This way, they will understand their part in the company and see themselves as a part of something bigger, which will increase their motivation,” suggests Woo.

On the other hand, it is also important that teamwork is encouraged as much as possible. While everyone must know his or her individual role, good interpersonal relationships are also necessary to strengthen team spirit. To be a good leader, you have to make your group feel that they share the same purpose and, to achieve this, they have to work as a team.

It is already clear that your team will not be motivated if only your ideas are accepted. Therefore, if you want to create a collaborative and healthy climate in your company, you must be open to new proposals so that all employees are encouraged to share their knowledge and opinions.

“Remember that workers are key to getting the job done and they are the ones who face the challenges on a daily basis, so their suggestions are often constructive,” says Woo. “So, if you cultivate open-mindedness, listen to your team members, value them, and show that you care about their opinion, you will usher in very positive productive change.”

Feedback is a very relevant tool within a business because it shows employees what they are doing well and what they need to change. To give feedback in the right way, you must recognize the employee’s strengths and also show the weaknesses respectfully and constructively so that they are strengthened and performance is improved.

Although people spend most of their time at work, they may have other tasks or personal projects. As a leader, you need to respect and value what everyone does outside the company, as well as show interest in it. If employees can talk about other issues at work, the environment is healthier because, in this way, they can share their experiences, renew energies, have other topics of conversation during the day, be more encouraged to face the routine of work, and feel valued.

Implementing these nine strategies is key to uniting your employees and creating a more pleasant work environment, which will increase work motivation and improve your business results. Good communication, respect, equality, recognition, working together, and having fun should be your banner as a company leader.