OA Chronicles: How to Motivate Employees

If you think about it, part of the success of an organization comes from the motivation of the employees to give effort in doing their jobs. I think the question here is not "how to motivate employees?" because I believe that there is no such thing as a perfect formula or process in motivating employees. It varies accordingly to different types of people. Some may be motivated by money. Others may be already satisfied just by being recognized. It also depends on the type organization where an employee is involved. But I think issues about motivating employees are focused on what the employee wants or what they need. 

Some articles would give advises or tips on how to motivate employees. And these are only some of them.

1. Ask what they want out of work.

2. Consider each employee’s age and life stage. 

3. Match motivators to the company or department culture. 

4. Pinpoint each employee’s personality. 

5. Use flexibility wisely. 

6. Put money in its place. 

7. Don’t rely on stock options.

8. Offer help with career goals. 

9. Help employees learn. 

10. Recognize that motivation isn’t always the answer.

But then again, motivation depends on the person.

Before I graduated in college, I already told myself that I would NEVER be a teacher, EVER! But when a vacant position in teaching was offered to me, I had to grab the opportunity. So, I said to myself that since I did not plan this job, I should somehow be motivated to do my responsibilities. I was not asking for any amount or any material stuffs. I just want something that would make me get through the day. A simple recognition or appreciation from our program head would suffice it. Just knowing at the end of an examination that my students got high scores is already overwhelming knowing that I was an effective teacher. In the institution where I belong, scholarships are given to interested instructors in taking their Master's degree. This is one of those motivational strategies that they implement so instructors would feel that they are given privilege and at the same time recognized. I am also an online English tutor to Japanese students and one of the company's ways to motivate their tutors is by giving cash incentives and recognition as best tutor.

For me, in the end, its still up to the employee if they would let their selves be bribed to be motivated. I still believe that for someone to last in a job, its a matter of LABOR OF LOVE.