Keeping your employees motivated in the workplace isn’t always the simplest task, but it is one that employers and managers need to focus more of their effort toward.
One of the duties of a manager is to make sure your employees are engaged, motivated, and working toward goals set up for them. A big, huge, gigantic factor in achieving this is making sure their workplace is comfortable and stress-free. And that all starts with the manager position.
Here are a few big no-no’s that you, as a manager, need to be avoiding in order to make sure your employees are satisfied and engaged in the workplace. And if you’re an employee dealing with these issues, make sure to let your manager, or HR department, know that these are issues preventing you from doing the best work you can do.
Micromanaging
Ugh, MICROMANAGING. This is one of the worst things that a manager can do. I mean, I just love to be watched over like a hungry vulture waiting for a dying animal to finally kick the bucket, so it can devour on the flesh of my failure! (insert sarcasm here). In all seriousness, micromanaging is one of the worst things you can do as a manager. Why? Because it tells your employee that you don’t trust their intellect, abilities, or problem solving skills. You hired that employee for a reason; because you think they can do the job well. Don’t watch their every move, to where it’s not even them working on the project anymore.
Meetings!!
Number 2 on my list of “Things That Make Me Want To Slam My Head On My Desk Repeatedly Until I Pass Out” is constant meetings. Not only that, but constant meetings that are completely unnecessary! “Attention everyone: important meeting today at 2 to discuss things that only pertain to a few people in the meeting. We like to hear ourselves talk, so be sure to take time out of your busy schedule to attend!” Wait, you interrupted my workflow, my work-groove, my work-tango, for this?? Nothing is worse than unannounced, unnecessary meetings that cut into an employee’s project deadline.
Dismissing Ideas
Your employees have good ideas, and you should listen to them! Nothing’s more motivation-killing than presenting an idea that you think is good, and then having it immediately dismissed as “bad” without giving it any thought.
Breaking Promises
Not being able to keep a promise is a bad habit no matter what position you are in. But it’s especially bad when you’re a manager who promises an employee time to speak with you only to constantly reschedule it, or promises a much-needed pay raise that never comes. Don’t make empty promises you can’t keep.
Inappropriate Conduct
Much more than just a motivation-killer, this one also has legal ramifications. Inappropriate behavior can include lewd jokes, sexual harassment, or inappropriate touching. There’s a point where the cool boss with the fun jokes becomes the creepy boss with the tasteless jokes. Don’t evolve into the latter.
Unrealistic Deadlines
Deadlines are given to make sure a task is completed in an appropriate amount of time. That doesn’t mean waiting until the last minute to give a project to an employee, and then expecting them to get it done in a few days, a few hours, or right this second! Make sure you always give your employees a good amount of time to finish an assignment.
Focusing on the Negatives, Instead of the Positives
No one likes a sad-sack boss. A negative attitude creates a negative work environment, so try to focus on the “wins” instead of the “losses.” This creates a positive work environment that increases employees’ loyalty to the brand’s vision.
Making Decisions Based On Emotion
Making a decision based on emotion can be advantageous sometimes, but more times than not a decision should be based on hard evidence and data, not how you feel about a situation. This can also relate to making a rash decision, such as immediately getting angry at an employee or a situation, before you know all the facts.
Leave a Reply