To help your teams kick goals year-round, we asked Glenn Price, behavioural change consultant at Be Challenged, to share five tips for getting staff back on track when they’re lacking motivation.

Words by Glenn Price.

I don’t think you can motivate anyone. There I said it.

From experience, it is up to each and every one of us to motivate ourselves. If we choose, as many do, to be demotivated then the folded arms, rolling of eyes and lack of discretionary effort will continue.

That being said, I truly believe you can inspire individuals and teams to deliver exceptional results. So in 2019 don’t make the kind of motivational mistakes that drain the energy from your team members. Instead, fire them up!

Tip 1: Set the finish line (and don’t move it)

It goes without saying that the best way to motivate people is to give them a goal to achieve.

Clearly and completely outline (in writing) the metrics needed for a particular advancement and be prepared to give it to them once they hit that finish line.

Tip 2: Stop talking and ask for input

According to recent research, 39 per cent of employees don’t feel that their input is appreciated. Encourage the members of your team to fully participate by inviting their input and suggestions on how to do things better.

Ask questions, listen to their answers, and, whenever possible, implement their solutions.

Tip 3: Focus on culture and employee experience

A strong company culture makes a huge amount of difference across the board. It can improve employee retention and boost profits, and it can also increase motivation and overall productivity.

Start by creating a team charter and paint the “big picture” of what you are looking to achieve together as a team.

Tip 4: Reward failure

We all make mistakes. We certainly are not born defect free.

The key is to learn valuable lessons from those mistakes, so we don’t make them again. When members of your team make honest mistakes, don’t punish them – instead, encourage them to try again.

Tip 5: Offer opportunities for self-development through team building

The members of your team will be more valuable to your organisation, and to themselves, when they have opportunities to learn new skills.

Provide your team with the development and professional training and team building they need to advance in their careers and deliver the desired results.

Glenn Price is a behavioural change and transformation consultant with team-building company Be Challenged and co-author of the top selling strategy execution book Drivers: A Story of Transformational Change.