Talking about 'motivation' in the workplace always sparks discussion, after all, people can feel motivated for different and unique reasons, and the same applies when they start to feel demotivated. However, there are situations that are no longer acceptable as sources of motivation and that owners, managers, and leaders should completely reconsider before insisting on continuing to implement them.
And with 'situations that are no longer acceptable,' I am referring to the installation of certain items that I consider mere distraction and that, if analyzed objectively, do not add anything to make an employee feel more motivated or not. Be honest: do you think having a slide, a ping-pong table, or even a video game are motivating factors? These items seem more for distraction than for motivation.
There are thousands of things that can be offered that would truly promote motivation, and the main one is: adequate working conditions. People want the workplace to be a place that values their well-being and provides all the necessary tools for them to perform their duties correctly to achieve the final result. That's right, even repeating it several times, it seems we still don't believe that unmotivated employees do not deliver good results.
According to data provided by Gallup, a U.S. opinion research company, about 61% of workers do not feel engaged in their current job. Furthermore, the management consulting firm Bain & Company states that an unmotivated employee can be 125% less productive than those who feel engaged and inspired.
So, the question that won't go away: how to keep the team motivated? OKRs – Objectives and Key Results – can be very helpful, as they prioritize people in various areas and no, it's not just talk about hugging trees. By involving employees in the processes and making them aware of how they are impacting the company, OKRs encourage the exploration of existing potential, inevitably making them more productive.
In addition, the tool proposes increasing clarity and focus, which will enable team members to see what needs to be done and what may need improvement, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This leads to an improvement in the organization's climate, as employees gain autonomy to share ideas and make decisions, working well as a team and being in sync with the leaders.
The truth is that beyond the good working conditions that need to be offered, the real motivation is linked to the recognition of employees by leadership, which, from the moment they start to see those people and encourage their development, see a change in behavior. After all, we all want to be recognized for what we do, receiving positive rewards when we manage to deliver good results.
Want to see better results in your organization, happier and more satisfied people? The answer is simple: start by organizing your management system.
Unmotivated employees do not deliver good results
