We were asked this question the other day by a company where we were giving a demo. A wonderful company, ahead of its time, wants to make great strides and has a clear vision where to go. The general manager's question got me thinking. In such a company, with healthy standards and values, I didn't think this question quite fit. After all, this man assumes that the responsibility to keep people motivated lies with him (the employer). An assumption I could not immediately confirm.
Responsibility
Let's focus on that assumption first. At the very least, the responsibility to be motivated in your work is one that comes from both sides. Both from employer and employee. If you (as an employee) no longer feel comfortable in what you are doing, for whatever reason, it is important to start the conversation. Now of course it depends on what you do and where you work how the reaction will be. And also how you are as an employee; are you someone who invests in yourself, or are you someone who whines and puts it down to the other side? Check that out first, then you'll know how to start the conversation.
The employer
The latter can also start the conversation, especially if the initiative comes from the employee. But an employer can also consider giving people space so that they can develop themselves. He can ensure that employees themselves, at their own discretion, can organize their work in such a way that it makes them happy. After all, that's what it's all about. Think of things that can be better coordinated among themselves because employees know how things work most effectively and efficiently. That requires having faith in your people, but it pays off on all sides.
Meaningful, direct contribution
The single most important factor in being motivated to work is when you see immediate results from what you do. It is not for nothing that hairdressers are among one of the happiest professions. Why? Because they literally contribute directly to making clients' heads more beautiful. When they're done, clients (usually) walk out the door happy, and it shows. If they have a happy client, unfortunately, he or she is gone after half an hour; if they have a grumpy client, he or she is also gone after half an hour. A hairdresser usually goes home tired but satisfied.
What about you?
Ask yourself, what is the direct relationship between what you do and your customer? Or your product or service? Is what you do of direct significance, or are you as a link somewhere in between? Can you identify what impact your work has on your team or your customers? Seeing that direct result is a very important satisfier; it makes you happy and gives you satisfaction. If that connection is not immediately obvious, it can be interesting to see how customers interact with your product or service. Then you can also see much more directly what your own contribution is. Do some research, would that be something?
Collectively
Another motivator is that people like to belong somewhere. Somewhere nice, fun and uncomplicated. A team where you have your own place is very pleasant and gives a lot of ground. But this also applies the other way around: are you proud of your team? Do you belong there yourself, that's one thing. And do you also make sure others can belong? A nice team and something you work for together can do a lot. Just look at the movement initiated by women's soccer. Nothing difficult, no hierarchical lines, just people having fun with the game. It is to be enjoyed and made happy. That is also exactly what everyone does, with their own contribution to this. Tell me: how much do you enjoy in your work?
Freedom and bondage
To work is also to live in a paradox. Look at those professions where the very "vocation" is an important one, for example, healthcare and education. I have rarely seen greater dedication than in these professions. On the other hand, it is precisely there that work is made almost impossible, by all the built-in control mechanisms. The regulatory space that is so necessary there also determines the level of our civilization, how we treat the most vulnerable people. That is also reality of everyday life. And frankly, that's not a pretty conclusion. If you are in this group then you desperately need your teammates!
Balance
Motivated work, then, is about finding a balance between many different things. Yourself in relation to your team and the collective in relation to what you think is important. Whether your own direct contribution is visible or not. Are you at the wheel yourself or do you leave that to someone else? And to whom?
My advice: find out where you stand and find out what is important to you. Have a conversation if you need to and find your own balance in freedom and bondage. If you know where your motives lie, you keep growing! And as you grow you stay committed and motivated. This is the key to your own success and that of your company!
Yolande van der Veer - Expert