there are many things managers can do on a daily basis, just a simple thank you or group regonition at a meeting, lunch for performance is alway appreciated.
It's great to see posts from thos that truly have the passion and believe in the value and purpose of quality education. Thanks for sharing!
I think Daniel Pink said it best when he stated that "Pay people enough to take the issue of money off the table." You pay them enough that they aren't thinking about the money, but they're thinking about the work. I know this may sound like a fantasy scenario where resources are unlimited, but for the faculty standpoint, which is where I work, you need to appeal to the fact that most faculty are teaching because they enjoy developing others and watching them grow.
I think the motivation, for faculty, is finding and maintaining that purpose for WHY they have chosen to be educators. For me it was a story of a student who discovered he had achieved the better life his parents had hoped for him when they immigrated from Mexico. I hold onto that story and consider the difference each one of can make in a student, and their families' lives.
A personal face-to face "Thank you" does wonders to show your appreciation and gratitude for a job well done. Sending out a mass e-mail where that person can be acknowledged publically will also help with employee morale. It's important to show our staff that their hard work and dedication does not go un-noticed.
Tammy - agreed! I just responded similarly to another post. Finding what works to motivate individual employees may be a challenge but pays off in the long run.
Gina - I agree. The way to handle it is to focus on the People side of management - finding out what motivates individuals.
Agreed - I have always said that if done right, everyone wins. I think it's possible to be in it for the company AND the student and have all involved parties satisfied with results!
I agree, the little things are fun but showing someone its not just about the role or job and that you are in this for the company and them goes alot further.
I think every employee is different and responds to different motivation. A smiley face drawn on a report goes far with some people. Fun achievment stickers on a chart might sound straight out of Grade school, but it is great to get recognized. Or an email to all staff for a job well done is a great way to boost attitude
Positive feedback can go a long way.
Barbara, I definitely agree with what you said. A hand-written note of thanks can go a long way. People like to feel appreciated and recognized for their hard work.
It is good to acknowledge success among the team, especially when members exceed their expectations. Managers need to stay connected with their staff and keep lines of communication open.
I feel that many employees are motivated by recognition of their work and professional growth within an organization.
I'm a firm believer in "if you take care of your employees, they will take care of you." As a manager, I always treat my employees with respect and admiration. Often times, expressing to them verbally and/or in writing, on how much they are appreciated goes a long way. Once a term, we award a Faculty of the Term to a member of our team who demonstrates above-and-beyond the core values and mission at our institution. Several other awards, luncheons and events are held throughout the year to extend our appreciation for all of their hardwork.
While money incentives as a motivator is nice, there are other ways that can achive the same results. As others have said, a job well done can go a long way. Most employees, if not all, will be happy and be more motivated at their job when they are recognized for a job well done. Other ways is a thank you luncheon with plaques or certificates of appreciation to show that you appreciate the hard work that they do.
I agree but I think the most rewarding thing is actually helping someone change their life...a luncheon or thank you note is just icing on the cake.
Positivity in a work place starts with a positive attitude and that starts with the leaders. We must display a positive attitude at all times. We must recognize our employees for the hard work and dedication they show. All it takes is a simple Thank You and job well done, to show them that you notice.
I truly feel it is so important for managers to display a positive and supportive attitude to their employees. This also means jumping in and giving a hand when needed.
Encouragement and appreciation make a big difference. I believe that those two things go a long way towards creating a positive work environment and motivating employees.
It appears that employees will require a greater deal of motivation now more than the past because the climate of our industry is so uncertain. One of the best ways to handle this is to now develop habits of presenting these changes in a positive way and to make sure our employees understand that removing the "safe harbors" is not necessarily 'dooms day.'
