5 Ways to Motivate Your Team in the Workplace
Motivating your team is often easier said than done. Effectively inspiring your employees to do better while also understanding the individuality of their processes is a huge undertaking, often leaving leaders with one question… “Where do I start?”
Believe it or not, there are many ways for a person to motivate their team, feasible in any type of workplace.
These strategies will undoubtedly lead you and your team to success.
1. Make the Workplace Comfortable
Making sure that the workplace in which your team resides is not only clean, but comfortable can be the difference between your employees feeling good about where they work and feeling inhibited. It’s been shown that the mood of employees can change based on their environment, making this very important to follow.
This tip goes beyond physical comfort, as well. Standing desks and a working coffee machine are always a plus, but the overall atmosphere says more than the physical amenities.
2. Create a Positive Atmosphere
By promoting happiness throughout the workplace, you can improve overall productivity and satisfaction among employees. Abiding by what your employees want can be a great start to achieving this! To learn what your employees really want, consider being more open to feedback or sending out a survey.
3. Set Deadlines
Though it might seem that the most effective way to motivate your employees is by being flexible, oftentimes not having enough deadlines can create a loose atmosphere that results in less work getting done efficiently. To avoid this, be sure to set deadlines so there’s never any confusion. If employees know exactly which marks they have to be hitting, it will increase their overall chances of getting the work done on time and effectively. Flexibility should only be reserved for specific situations.
4. Only Check In When Necessary
One of the biggest complaints from employees is that there are unnecessary meetings that actually make it more difficult to get the necessary work done in the amount of time given. To avoid this, only hold meetings when they’re important—taking away time from your employees to check in on the work they’re doing can be counterproductive for the overall efficiency. In fact, if you have dedicated employees, they can actually get more work done when they don’t feel like they’re being monitored, allowing them to work in the way that’s most efficient for them. However, there may be some employees who need more nudging than others.
5. Quarterly Team Building Sessions
Even the most well-oiled team can benefit from a team building session every quarter. Motivation, creativity and communication can be improved, which benefits individuals as much as it does entire teams. A culture of collaboration is vital for productivity. Talking about it is one thing, but leaders need to actively cultivate that culture. Committing to initiatives 4 times a year is the perfect way to do so.
How Leadership Varies Between Countries and Cultures
Leadership is not created equal. Each culture (and even country) operate differently, as far as leadership is concerned.
Because the role of leaders is becoming more globalized, they must learn to know how to be the most efficient in different parts of the world, and when working with a multicultural team.
Making Decisions
When it comes to decision making, there are two styles. The first is the synchronized way of decision making. This type of leadership behavior is appreciated most in Northeast Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, and a large part of Central and South American countries. Leaders who follow this strategy should seek consensus on decisions, although it might take longer.
On the other hand, an opportunistic leader is more individualistic and risk-taking, although checking up on the team is still important on a regular basis. The opportunistic method of making decisions is one that is preferred in Nordic and Germanic Countries, the United Kingdom, Western developed countries who are subdivisions of the English cultural influence (USA, Australia, and New Zealand), and Asian countries that developed their economies under the UK, such as India and Malayasian countries.
Communication
Communication between different cultures influences the type of leadership that is followed there. The straightforward manner of communicating is expected in Northeast Asia and countries like the Netherlands. The people there are used to getting straight to the point. The approach is less individually sensitive and things are communicated straight away.
On the other hand is the diplomatic way of leadership, more often used in countries like Latin America, Sweden, New Zealand, and Canada. Employees in these regions are much more keen to follow someone who is pleasant and diplomatic in their approach. Confrontations should be started with a dose of empathy and tactfulness.
Whatever it means to be a leader in different cultures, the individual should still be taken into account. What is the way to individually manage each employee with their specific needs and temperament? How should leaders from different backgrounds best interact with each other?
In any case, leaders are forced to be increasingly flexible in a globalized society that is comprised of many different cultural expectations. The goal isn’t simply to avoid offending other business professionals. It should also be to communicate and lead in the most effective way possible.
International Business Travel: How to Balance Work and Play
Business trips are more common than ever in today’s business world. We truly live in a global economy.
While business trips have their own sense of excitement, professionals are doing their best to make the most of these travel opportunities.
How you spend your free time will vary by country. In some regions, it’s better to stay with a group. Other times, you’ll be able to go out and explore on your own.
Regardless of your plan, be sure you’re always respecting the cultures of your new destinations — in and out of the office. For example, know how to introduce yourself properly, restaurant etiquette, lodging expectations, etc.
Traveling for Work and Making Time for Adventure
Getting to travel the world for business leaves professionals with the unique opportunity to explore new cities. Here are a few tips for taking advantage of the time you have.
1. Utilize Coffee Breaks
The daily coffee break presents a unique opportunity to explore. When on a work trip, make an effort to travel to a new coffee shop. By forgoing the nearby Starbucks, working travelers will be able to get out of their comfort zones and see more of the new city they are visiting. This helps travelers get a sense of the local atmosphere while tasting some authentic food.
2. Plan Business Meetings Wisely
Business meetings are a fact of any work trip. By scheduling them wisely, travelers can fit in more time to take in the sights of a new city. One of the best ways to do this is to have a business meeting near a specific location like a museum, attraction or anything else that may offer visitors a unique experience. This intentional scheduling cuts out any wasted time that would have otherwise been spent commuting between the hotel and the meeting.
This isn’t always possible because you often have to work around conflicting schedules, but keep this tip in mind for if the opportunity arises.
3. Enjoy the Night Life
Work trips can be tiring, but visitors should take advantage of every free moment they have. Instead of spending an evening in the hotel room, check out the local scene and go exploring. By going a bit out of your comfort zone, you will be able to see the city in a new light. It’s just important to prioritize a reasonable bedtime if you have an early-morning meeting.
4. Know When to Say “No”
It can be difficult to leave work “at work” when traveling on a business trip. If colleagues suggest spending free time together outside the standard office hours, it is okay to decline and see the city on your own. When exploring independently, you can see parts of a new region that most interest you.
However, business dinners and happy hours are sometimes expected. In addition to building a stronger connection with your fellow business people, it could also be a fun time. Keep an open mind and go with the flow.
5. Join Industry Associations or Business Networking Groups
Aside from garnering local knowledge, you can meet the “who’s who” in the new geography. This will allow you make contacts more quickly. Not just any contacts either. Proper networking is beneficial for both you and the people you meet. Don’t be afraid to keep in touch with your contacts after returning home. Add them as LinkedIn connections or email somewhat regularly. This will keep you up-to-date on more industry news while ensuring your international relationships continue to grow.
Life is all about finding a proper balance in work and pleasure. Traveling for work in the near future? Use these tips to see new cities in their best light, not just from an office window. It’s possible to have fun while still meeting your work obligations.
About David Joseph Simard
David Joseph Simard is currently a private real estate development and construction consultant based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, one of Canada’s most desirable housing and commercial real estate markets. While paving an unconventional path to his successful career in real estate, Simard has found ways to incorporate his varied experience and education throughout each new project. In addition to the success he’s seen with his own consulting business, David Joseph Simard has also found ways to use his expertise to give back to various public and non-profit organizations. Some of these initiatives include an appointment as the founding President of the Canada Nevada Business Counsel and his service to the Board of UNLV’s School of Business.
Before settling down in Vancouver, David Joseph Simard first found his enthusiasm for real estate and new construction development at the University of Windsor, in Windsor Ontario. Here, Simard studied both industrial psychology and history/international relations. This trend in multi-disciplined education would continue for Simard, as his path then took him down to East Lansing, Michigan. At Michigan State University, he would go on to receive two Bachelor of Arts degrees in both industrial psychology and history/international relations. Forever the proud Spartan, Simard moved ahead with his pursuit of acquiring a Juris Doctorate from MSU, recognized as the highest level of education available in the United States’ legal sector.
It was by total happenstance that David Joseph Simard found his first part-time job in real estate while still in school. This wouldn’t be considered the most relevant job for an international relations major. But, Simard found a fast affinity for his work as a real estate broker and later moved on to the next phase of his career, transitioning to real estate development. Simard didn’t realize at the time that he was beginning a career in the industry that would span nearly 30 years. His path eventually led to the international real estate industry and consulting Fortune 500 companies, keeping their multi-million dollar projects on time and under budget.
David Joseph Simard‘s current role finds him continuing his consulting services for global companies, some of which include General Dynamics, Ericsson, and AT&T. Simard’s varied expertise lends his consulting services in legal, financial, and business operations, while providing turnkey real estate project management solutions. Seeing a new construction project begin to take shape is what has kept Simard on this path. The capability to see a project to completion through all areas of a commercial and residential real estate development has enabled Simard to make his mark throughout the industry. When working with Simard, his clients have echoed the same positive experiences of having worked with a unique talent that can guide them through the full life cycle of a project and across all phases.
In addition to his other public service efforts, David Joseph Simard has also served the Boards of the Lied Institute for Real Estate, NDA, and NAIOP. When spending time outside of his professional path, Simard is a wine enthusiast that you may likely find attending a wine tasting at one of Vancouver’s fine vineyards. He also enjoys more strenuous outdoor activities like snowboarding, skiing, and hiking.