It’s often said that ‘teamwork makes the dream work‘, but how do you get your team to work well and keep them motivated for the most part? Well, our DT Blog today answers these questions and gives a few tips on how to make team motivation a part of your healthy work culture. Join us as we share some golden nuggets on how to keep your team motivated!
Defining Team Motivation
For any team, big or small, motivation is the driving force that aims to bring about positive interactions among everyone. Everyone moves with a common goal in mind with the desire to achieve all they set out to do in the end.
Team motivation involves excellent leadership, shared interests by everyone (no matter their post), and clear and easy to understand objectives. There are many factors that contribute to positive team motivation but if each individual does not have goals and beliefs that are in line with the bigger picture (internal goals), then motivation may not go as planned.
Does Teamwork Really Make the Dream Work?
An individual, no matter how talented they are, can only do so much and no more. That’s where having and being part of a team comes in. Being part of an effective team does wonders for companies and the workflow that exists. That is why it’s important that they invest in their team members and cater to their overall well-being.
Building and motivating team can take some time, but in the long run, it brings about higher productivity levels, higher profits, and a better customer satisfaction rate both internally and externally.
So, teamwork does indeed make the dream work because what one person can achieve, a team can do ten times or even more and people are there to help you at every step of the way.
How to Keep Your Team Motivated
And now it’s time for some great and practical ways to keep your team motivated.
#1 – Set Clear and Attainable Goals
If your team has no idea what they’re working towards, then motivating them would almost be pointless. Normally, at the point of their onboarding, they were introduced to the mission and vision of the company; but do they know and understand where they fall in?
This is where ‘personalizing’ the vision of your team and setting goals from this vision comes in. The goals should be specific to each team (if you have more than one) and they should be attainable and trackable at every step of the way.
#2 – Place Communication High on the Priorities List
When working as part of a team, two-way communication is a must. Without clear communication everything (and we mean everything) can crumble to the ground.
Communication should be constant and unobstructed. With this in place, everyone is able to check in regularly, have honest and open conversations and of course share and implement ideas.
To improve communication within your team, you should absolutely participate in team building charity events. These events allow your staff to make a difference in their communities while also building communication skills.
When team members feel valued and involved, their motivation increases, and a positive ripple effect takes place.
#3 – Keep Your Team Motivated by Fostering a Healthy Work Environment
Whether your team works remotely or in person, a healthy work environment is a must. Your environment makes or breaks you, therefore fostering positivity does everyone well.
Create spaces (digitally or in person) that are enjoyable, calming, and welcoming. Of course, based on your team you’ll be able to know what works and what doesn’t. You can also get a deeper and better understanding of how to foster this environment through surveys and asking the right questions.
#4 – Recognize and Reward Teams for Their Efforts
There is great power in giving positive feedback. When team members are recognized, applauded, and rewarded, it brings them great motivation and even inspires others to keep going.
Showing your team appreciation, it fuels their fire to keep going. Their future work also improves, leaving a positive work cycle in place. If you know how to thank a team, there will be a healthy and collaborative environment in the workplace.
#5 – Offer Growth and Development Opportunities
When team members are given the opportunity to learn something new, they feel seen. When they get new certifications and upskill themselves, it makes them feel valuable. These are what we call opportunities for growth and of course, it brings with its further development.
Tapping into and encouraging your team to use their full potential is great motivation indeed. Creating possibilities for upward mobility is also a great way to motivate your team, teaching transferable skills and even offering personalized professional coaching are all ways to motivate your team.
Now You Know How to Keep Your Team Motivated!
There are so many great and creative ways to go about motivating your team and keeping them motivated. Of course, if there isn’t a safe and welcoming environment, then making this happen may not be very easy.
That said, at Day Translations, we believe in motivating everyone who is part of our team, whether they are internal team members or freelancers. We’re a remote company, but that doesn’t stop us from having great relationships and motivated team members.