STEP 7
Keep your people well motivated
Kate Underwood
Managing Director and HR Director at Kate Underwood HR kateunderwoodhr.co.uk
“It’s always important, but during turbulent times, the importance of ensuring that your people remain well motivated cannot be overstated. A well-motivated workforce forms the backbone of a resilient organisation. “A well-motivated team remains agile and can adapt to ever-changing demands. Motivation is also key to ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, which can make all of the difference when a business is struggling. A well-motivated team doesn't just keep the business running; it also ensures that it can make the most of every opportunity. A dip in motivation can seriously impact your productivity and profitability; your customers probably won’t get the service they expect, which may lead them to go elsewhere. Your reputation can easily get damaged. “When employees sense instability and economic difficulties, naturally, they’ll start to wonder about their futures, which can impact their motivation. And when one person starts pulling back, it can have a domino effect on others, so your business problems become even harder to overcome. “Good communication is essential. Keeping everyone in the loop – even when the news isn't good – can help to keep your staff motivated. When employees feel seen, heard and valued, they're far more likely to rally together, face challenges head-on and work with passion. Just remembering to acknowledge and thank people for their hard work and achievements can really boost their motivation, although that can easily be forgotten when a business is really up against it.
Kate Underwood
“Higher staff turnover can be an obvious sign of a serious business-wide motivation issue. And when staff motivation dips, that necessary spirit of collaboration and teamwork fizzles out, and group harmony breaks down. When people lack motivation the quality of their work usually suffers. But it isn't just about the big, obvious things. Sometimes, it's subtle shifts, like the energy in a room or attention to detail. Recognising those little signs can be the first step to turning the tide.
of business owners believe keeping your team motivated is a key piece of advice for someone starting a business.
“While everyone loves a bonus or pay rise, money isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to motivation. Recognition, learning, growing and tackling new challenges, meaningful, challenging work, sense of belonging, they can all boost motivation. “Keeping staff motivation high often begins with just having honest conversations with your people, which can help you to better understand what's going on beneath the surface. Also, give people the opportunity to learn and grow, and make sure everyone feels part of the team. If someone’s motivation keeps dipping, don’t put off speaking to them about it. Quickly get to the root of problems and sort them out.”