Team Motivators

Ask yourself...Why do you get up and go to work every day? Do you love what you do? Is money your sole motivator? Are you passionate about the product or service that your company delivers?

Everyone is motivated by something different. Some may want to receive a higher rate of pay or increased bonuses, they are motivated purely by financial rewards. Some may not want to be paid more because they would fall into a higher tax bracket. They would prefer to have an extra week of vacation. Other team members are motivated by being assigned to highly impactful and highly visible projects that come with a greater responsibility. Others find motivation through their hobbies, as well as spending time with friends and family. This would cause them to come to work on time, leave on time, all whilst doing a fantastic job without the desire for increased pay or responsibility; they are perfectly content with their financial situation.

If you aren't sure what motivates your team members...why not ask them?

List of Motivators

There are plenty of things that keep people motivated, both inside and outside of the workplace. Below is a list of the most common things that help people to stay motivated

Money is often seen as the number one motivator at work. And while it’s true that most of us need to earn a salary to pay the bills, there are other factors that are just as important, if not more so
Responsibility is a motivator for many people. The opportunity to lead a team or project can be very appealing, as it offers the chance to prove oneself and make a real difference
Hobbies can be a motivator for some people. If they enjoy what they do outside of work, they may be more likely to feel satisfied and engaged in their job
Friends and family can also be motivators. Having a supportive network can make a big difference in how someone feels about their work
Job satisfaction is another important motivator. If people feel like they are doing something that is worthwhile and makes them happy, they will be more likely to stay motivated
Variety of work can also keep people motivated. If they feel like they are doing the same thing every day, they may become bored and less engaged
Appreciation/Recognition from others can be a great motivator. Knowing that someone notices and appreciates our work can make us feel more positive about our job
Meaningful work is also motivator for many people. If they feel like their work is making a difference, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.

Professional Motivators

There are many different motivators that can keep people engaged and motivated at work. Below are some common motivators that professionals use:

Growth Potential: Many people are motivated by the opportunity to advance in their career. The chance to move up within a company or take on more responsibility can be very appealing.
Compensation/Benefits: As we mentioned before, money is often seen as the number one motivator at work. Money is a huge reason why some pick certain career paths over others; so compensation is an important factor in keeping people motivated.
Challenging Work: People often enjoy being challenged at work. The feeling of learning new things and developing new skills can be very motivating.
Flexibility/Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules and the ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance are becoming more and more important to employees. The ability to have a flexible schedule or work from home can be very motivating for some people.
Company Culture: The culture of a company can make a big difference in how motivated someone is to come to work every day. If the values of the company align with the employee’s personal values, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged.
Creative Freedom: For some people, the ability to be creative and have freedom in their work is very important. If they feel like their job is stifling their creativity, they may become less engaged and motivated.

Staying Motivated

It’s not always easy to stay motivated, especially when we are faced with challenges or difficult tasks. But there are things that we can do to help us stay motivated:

Find out what motivates your team and try to incorporate those things into their work

Focus on goals and why we are doing the task at hand
Take a break when feeling overwhelmed or stressed
Find a support network of family and friends who can be encouraging
Talk to the supervisor or manager if there are difficulties with a task or project
Remember that motivation is often an internal process, so we need to be patient with ourselves and give ourselves time to adjust

As was said in the list above, motivation is often an internal process. It is incredibly important to ask yourself what keeps you going. Check-in with yourself and discover your motivators. This is vital step towards improving your work ethic and continuing to show up for yourself day after day.

Maintaining Motivation as a Team

It’s one thing to be motivated as an individual, but it’s another thing to try and maintain that motivation when working on a team. When we are working with others, it is important to remember that everyone has different motivators. So how can we maintain motivation as a team when everyone is coming from a different place?

Here are a few tips:

Encourage open communication: It is important that everyone feels like they can openly communicate with each other. If someone is feeling demotivated, they should feel comfortable speaking up and sharing what is going on.

Find out what motivates each team member: As we mentioned before, everyone has different motivators. It is important to take the time to find out what motivates each team member. Once you know what motivates them, you can try to incorporate those things into their work.

Create a positive and supportive environment: A positive and supportive environment can go a long way in keeping everyone motivated. If team members feel like they are in a safe and supportive environment, they are more likely to be open and honest about how they are feeling.

Recognize and celebrate successes: It is important to recognize and celebrate the successes of the team, no matter how small they may be. This will help everyone feel appreciated and motivated to continue doing their best work.

Interested in Learning More About Motivators?

Here are some additional resources on motivation that might be helpful. Please Google the titles below.

Here’s What Happens When Leaders Get Employee Motivation Right – Forbes
The Secret to Effective Motivation - Harvard Business Review Ideacast
One More Time, How Do You Motivate Employees? – Harvard Business Review