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Motivating the members of your team requires finding the motivating tasks and performance incentives that will energize team members. Read on to understand individual mo
In Motivating Positive Performance: Understanding Motivational Needs, we discussed the importance of determining the individual motivational needs of your team. Below is a list of possible needs and suggested motivating tasks and performance incentives you can use to encourage positive behavior. Most employees will value each of these needs to some extent. The key is to determine your employee's prioritization of these needs and then assess how you can create incentives and disincentives to correct behavioral issues at work. The need for the basics - a need for most entry-level staff. Their lower income keeps their needs basic: food, water, shelter, clothing and transportation Motivating tasks = organizing a luncheon, choosing suppliers for the vending machine, choosing benefit providers Performance Incentives = catered lunches, expense accounts, reimbursement for mileage, increases in benefit plans, company car, water coolers, free coffee/tea, lunch rooms with a fridge and microwave, grocery or restaurant gift certificates The need for physical activity - need to be active and not tied to a desk, likes to use muscle and get their hands dirty. Tend to be kinesthetic learners. Motivating tasks = building furniture or moving offices, outdoor work (gardening, construction etc.), shipping and receiving, demonstrations Performance Incentives = gym memberships or staff gym, ergonomic furniture The need for security and safety - likes regular pay, consistent employment, clearly defined expectations, order and routine Motivating tasks = compiling and writing a policy and procedures manual, creating a budget, organizing a filing system Performance Incentives = change from contract to permanent status, organizational office supplies, decreasing the variance in pay amounts, installing a security system or locks, assigning them a specific space and their own supplies/equipment The need for acceptance - they have a need to belong, likes socially inviting environment, friendships with coworkers and support from leaders. Motivating tasks = parties and celebrations, group projects, buddy systems Performance Incentives = recognition of achievements in front of a group, assign them a mentor, have a party in their honor The need for status - likes a high salary to buy symbols of status and to be well recognized as an expert in their field, needs visible displays of their status Motivating tasks = Leading a team, mentoring, head presenter to clients or keynote speaking, writing for publication Performance Incentives = raises, bonuses, top-of-the-line electronic devices (blackberries, laptops), a corner office with a view, promotion to a more visible role, improve title, hire an assistant for them, print business cards or an office door name plaque. The need for power - supervision of staff, decision making Motivating tasks = authorizing expenditures, reorganization of portfolios, delegating, hiring and firing decisions Performance Incentives = promotion to leadership, increase in responsibility (especially increasing the number of direct reports), make them the head of a strategic project team The need for learning and creativity - tasks that challenge, new opportunities, opportunity for training Motivating tasks = training, reading, researching, brainstorming sessions, creating a library or resource centre, writing an instruction manual, strategic planning Performance Incentives = reimbursement of training costs, subscriptions to industry magazines, budget to purchase books, new computer or other technology The need for quiet and independence - works well solo on a tasks that require concentration and individual decision making, tends to be introverted Motivating tasks = sorting, budgeting, prioritizing their workload, problem solving, computer work (accounting, graphic art, drafting etc.) Performance Incentives = phone headsets, earplugs, offices or cubicles in quieter areas, access to enclosed offices or workrooms, flexibility to work from home The need for noise and teamwork - likes constant change and activity, works best in an environment that is busy and expects constant interruptions and competing priorities, works well in a team, tends to be extroverted Motivating tasks = multi-tasking, coordinating events, operating trade show booths, front counter reception, networking events Incentives = background music while they work, multi-line phones, software that promotes connectivity, open concept offices The need for balance - May have a young family, other dependents or are experiencing burn out from overwork and need to balance work and life. Motivating tasks = prioritizing workload, delegating, project planning - anything that helps them organize their workload and keep focused Incentives = on-site daycare, time off in lieu, flexibility to work from home, family days off as a benefit, good benefits for dependents, schedule that fits daycare schedule If you have comments or suggestions on this article, please use the link below to start a discussion. If you liked this article, here are links to other performance management articles and blogs. Performance Management Article Series:Performance Management 1: Root Causes for Performance Issues: Lack of Skill or Motivation Performance Management 2: Coaching Performance Improvement: Skill or Motivation Problems Performance Management 3: Motivating Positive Performance: Understanding Motivational Needs Performance Management 5: Performance Review Tools and Tips: Choosing a Performance Review Tool Performance Management 6: Performance Conversation Tips: Effective Performance Coaching Blogs on Performance ManagementStress and Performance Reviews Copyright © 2006, Joni Rose and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
The copyright of the article Motivational Tasks and Incentives in Training/Professional Development is owned by Joni Rose. Permission to republish Motivational Tasks and Incentives in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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