Employees Don't Want Pizza Parties

In today’s dynamic and competitive business world, employee motivation is the driving force behind organizational success. Motivated employees do more than only bring their best selves to work, they also bring increased productivity, improved job satisfaction, and enhanced overall performance. Not only to themselves but to their co-workers, clients and customers as well.

Understanding the intricacies of employee motivation and implementing effective strategies can unlock a wealth of potential within teams and organizations. It may come as a shock to employers, but when employees break records and push the company to new heights they want and DESERVE more than a pat on the back and a pizza party.

In this article, we’ll look at some things that actually do motivate employees.

Understanding Employee Motivation:

So the complicated explanation is this: Employee motivation is the internal drive that influences individuals to take action, achieve goals, and perform at their best. It is a complex amalgamation of psychological, social, and organizational factors. Motivation can be intrinsic, arising from an individual’s personal desires, interests, and values, or extrinsic, driven by external rewards and recognition. Both forms of motivation play a vital role in creating a positive work environment and fostering employee engagement.

But the plain and simple truth is that employees want to feel valued and be fairly rewarded for their efforts. They want to be a part of something and that means sharing in the success and working through the failures as a part of a team. Not a cog that’s taken for granted.

Key Factors Affecting Employee Motivation:

Recognition and Rewards: Acknowledging and appreciating employees’ efforts. A genuine expression of appreciation goes a long way. Whether verbal, monetary, or yes even pizza. It can be a significant boost to morale. Recognizing achievements fosters a sense of value and encourages employees to strive for continued success. But be sincere and don’t undervalue their achievements. If you find yourself on your hundredth verbal thank you and pizza party for the same employee and no raises or promotions have been issued yet you have failed as a leader.

Meaningful Work: Assigning tasks that align with employees’ skills, interests, and aspirations creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Its important to get the “right person in the right seat”. When employees find meaning in their work, they are more likely to stay motivated and go the extra mile to achieve exceptional results. You may have someone who would make a stellar CEO but a terrible salesman and you’ve got them working in sales. Just because they are talented and skilled in business (maybe the right person) doesn’t mean they belong. They are in the wrong seat, find them a new seat or let them find a new employer. They won’t be happy in the wrong seat and they will bring everyone else down.

Opportunities for Growth and Development: Providing employees with continuous learning opportunities, training programs, and career advancement prospects not only enhances their skill set but also fuels their motivation. Growth opportunities demonstrate that the organization values its employee’s professional development and encourages them to reach their full potential. Not only do you need to have growth opportunities, you also need to make sure they are communicated and understood.

Supportive Work Environment: Cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where employees feel heard, valued, and respected, is essential for fostering motivation. When employees feel psychologically safe and have positive relationships with their colleagues and superiors, they are more likely to be motivated to contribute to the organization’s success. They should never be afraid to tell you what they need or if they aren’t happy in their position.

Employees should know that telling you they are applying for other positions doesn’t mean their current job will be in jeopardy. It means that there is opportunity for you to improve the position and work together to align your and the employees goals.

Strategies to Boost Employee Motivation:

Effective Communication: Clear and open communication channels facilitate the exchange of ideas, feedback, and expectations. Regular, honest communication of organizational goals, sincere feedback on performance, and involving employees in decision-making processes fosters a sense of ownership and motivation. It also lets employees know that they are valued and trusted.

Empowerment and Autonomy: Allowing employees to have a certain degree of autonomy and empowering them to make decisions creates a sense of responsibility and ownership. When employees have the freedom to contribute their ideas and take ownership of their work, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged. Additionally, they can stretch their creative and analytical legs and will often bring a lot of value to their jobs.

Encouraging Work-Life Balance: Recognizing the importance of work-life balance and supporting employees in maintaining healthy boundaries promotes motivation and reduces burnout. Presenteeism and absenteeism is a problem that costs companies millions per year and adds stress to employees. Encouraging employees to prioritize their well-being shows that the organization cares about their overall happiness and satisfaction and can really help to prevent turnover and costly staffing issues.

Celebrating Achievements: Regularly celebrating individual and team achievements not only boosts motivation but also strengthens a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. Recognizing hard work and success reinforces the belief that employees’ efforts are valued and appreciated. Employees make the business work, they deserve to be celebrated and rewarded.

Wrap it up:

Employees are the ones that carry the load. They work countless hours to scrape by so that they can afford to go to work to do it all over again. People should be paid for what the job is worth, not what the employer can get away with paying. They should be valued for their efforts and treated with respect. It will always pay off for the employer in the long run