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TOP TIPS FOR MANAGEMENT
Andrew Woods and Brendan Colclough, directors of Quantum Training (formerly known as Colclough Woods & Associates) - help facilitate the Guinness UDV Irish Pub Investor Course. Here, they give valuable advice on motivating your team.
Each time we tell ourselves we have reached the limit, we find we can go an extra mile. The fact that we do not have the tools to measure this gap does not, however, excuse us from making the effort. It is extraordinary that we are prepared to put more effort into improving our accountancy than into motivating our people.
John Harvey-Jones, Broadcaster, Author and Chairman, ICI.
To inspire people to work individually, or in groups, in ways that produce the best results, you need to tap in to their own personal motivational forces. Here is a ten-point plan for improving the level of motivation within your team.
Create a relaxed atmosphere.
A happy, relaxed atmosphere should be created in which everyone is clear on WHAT to do, WHEN to do it and HOW to do it. It is also important when delegating tasks to your team to explain WHY you are involving them as this will give it an appropriate context.
Be available for discussion.
Remember that what may seem unimportant and trivial to you may be very important to somebody else in your team.
Show caring awareness of your staffs’ personal problems. Remember that everyone in the team is a human being and therefore by no means perfect. Every person has different strengths and weaknesses and good motivators are able to identify and respect these.
Lead by example.
Act in a dignified way so that your staff can respect you and in turn respect themselves.
Be consistent.
There is nothing as de-motivating as a team leader who changes the goalposts daily. While change is the essence of successful business, do it in a planned and structured way and always try to involve your team by communicating with them on a regular basis.
Demand high standards from your staff - they want a reason to give their best. Contrary to popular belief, most people (or certainly those you would want on your team) will aspire to a challenge and want to feel a sense of achievement.
Give praise when it is merited.
In our opinion, this is one of the most important components of good motivation. If we were as quick to praise and encourage as we are to criticise, we would get a lot more from our team.
Sometimes, the most effective motivation is just to say thank you.
Zig Ziglar
American Sales Trainer and Motivator, Success, November 1994.
Give constructive criticism.
Whilst praise and encouragement bring the best out in people, it is also important to ensure that one rotten apple is not spoiling the basket. Do not allow one person’s lack of discipline or professionalism to influence the rest of the team negatively. Deal with it and this will send an important and positive message to everyone. The team itself is more important than any individual.
Keep the team busy.
This will make them feel more useful, happy and fulfilled. Think about the amount of times you have received bad service in a quiet bar or restaurant and good service in a busy one!
Be fair at all times.
As the team leader, it is impossible for you to make popular decisions all the time, however, if your decisions are fair, people will be much more likely to accept them than if they are subjective and based on personal favouritism.
If you would like more information on any aspect of Team Motivation, please contact Quantum Training at: info@quantum-training.com
Tel: 353 1 8901225/8901115
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