Keeping employees motivated is one of the most important responsibilities of a manager. To do this, make sure you’re using the right motivational tools at the right times. Keep these guidelines in mind:
- Feedback. To enhance commitment, offer positive feedback when an employee is just getting started on a project. Solicit negative feedback toward the finish line to highlight any slow progress.
- Goal setting. Focus on the work that’s been done at the beginning of the project. Focus on how much more work needs to be done near the end, to avoid frustration.
- Incentives. Immediate rewards (a bonus) are more effective in increasing motivation. Use extrinsic incentives (money) to motivate at the beginning of a project and use intrinsic incentives (job satisfaction) to help people persist toward the end of a project.
Adapted from "Match Your Motivational Tactic to the Situation," by Juliana Schroeder and Ayelet Fishbach
