Finding the Right Way to Motivate Your Employees

Fear, Incentives and Growth

Zig Ziglar says that there are three main ways to motivate people in general and employees specifically. They are fear, incentives and growth. Let's take a look at each one.

Fear. This is not good. Number one, it isn't right, and number two, it doesn't work well in the long run and isn't good for the overall health of the organization. Yet, still there are people who use it. They make blatant or veiled threats in order to get people to work. There is a better way.

Incentives. John Maxwell says that "What gets rewarded, gets done." This is the technique that says, "If you do this, then you will get this." The problem Ziglar sees, and I concur, is that people will be led this way for a while, and it will surely be profitable and productive. Yet eventually, most people come to the end of being driven by incentive. This is because most people are innately driven by something even deeper.

Growth. Personal growth. Do you ever wonder how the personal growth industry has gotten so huge? It is because it scratches an itch that lies within each person. Every person has within them, a desire to get better. Now, obviously, some are more in tune with that desire than others, but each person has it, and it can a great motivating factor.

First, here is how it doesn't work. You don't say "If you do this, then I will give you a personal growth opportunity." That is still incentive.

Here is how it does work: You simply make it a core value of your business or organization that management will give regular opportunity for personal and professional growth to all members of the staff.

I say both personal and professional growth very purposely. There will always be the opportunity and need for professional growth, and the employees expect that. They may or may not appreciate it though.

However, personal growth opportunities, given with no strings attached, will be appreciated, and rewarded with ultra-motivated employees. Here are some simple ideas:

A "Family Library" stocked with books and tapes that help them in their family life.

A Financial Resources section.

Any kind of Development Seminar that will benefit the employee.

Days off to pursue personal development opportunities.

Invest in your employee's personal growth and they will reward you with high motivation!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

FederalNewsRadio.com

Oracle to pay $1.9B for Taleo, extends SAP rivalry FederalNewsRadio.com Oracle is paying $1.9 billion for Taleo Corp., a company that helps businesses manage their employees. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) By ANICK JESDANUN AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Oracle Corp. is escalating its rivalry with German ... Oracle to pay $1.9 billion for personnel software company, extends rivalry ...Washington Post Oracle buying Taleo for $1.9 billion, cloud war brewsReuters Oracle Buys Taleo for $1.9 Billion, Adds Human-Resource ToolSan Francisco Chronicle all 482 news articles »

PetroFrontier announces change in management Sacramento Bee 10, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ - (TSX-V: PFC) - PetroFrontier Corp.("PetroFrontier") announced today that Peter Philipchuk, Vice President, Exploration, has resigned from PetroFrontier. PetroFrontier thanks Mr. Philipchuk for his service and wishes him well ... and more »

WTOP

Oracle to pay $1.9B for Taleo, extends SAP rivalry WTOP Oracle is paying $1.9 billion for Taleo Corp., a company that helps businesses manage their employees. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) By ANICK JESDANUN AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) - Oracle Corp. is escalating its rivalry with German ... Oracle's $1.9bn Deal to Buy TaleoZacks.com Oracle to pay $1.9 billion for Taleo, extends SAP rivalryUSA TODAY Taleo Corp Shares Downgraded to "Neutral" by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Analysts (TLEO)Web Inquirer all 105 news articles »

TEXT-S&P revises Apollo Investment Corp outlook to stable Reuters (The following statement was released by the rating agency) -- Apollo Investment Corp. (AIC) has announced changes in management, a reduction in its dividend, and adjustments to its investment strategy. -- In our view, changes to the firm's investment ... Apollo Investments Considers Capital Raise; Unveils Management ShiftsWall Street Journal Company News for February 9, 2012Zacks.com Apollo Investment's CEO Discusses Q3 2012 Results - Earnings Call TranscriptSeeking Alpha Economic Times -Tech24 all 30 news articles »

Integrated Asset Management Corp. Announces Results for the First Quarter of ... MarketWatch (press release) TORONTO, ONTARIO, Feb 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Integrated Asset Management Corp. ("IAM") /quotes/zigman/18979 CA:IAM -10.00% today announced unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. Review of the 3-Month Period ... and more »

Eaton Vance Closed-end Diversified Equity Income Funds Declare Quarterly ... Sacramento Bee The Funds are managed by Eaton Vance Management, a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV), based in Boston, one of the oldest investment management firms in the United States, with a history dating back to 1924. Eaton Vance and its affiliates ... and more »

State: Revised map led to levee updates Peoria Journal Star He did say, however, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers became more serious about the country's levee system after the hurricane disaster. Osman said the Corps did an Illinois River study in 2002 and 2003, ... and more »

Contract talks continue at Marathon, Tesoro refineries Reuters Workers at the Marathon Petroleum Corp in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and the Tesoro Corp Mandan, North Dakota, refinery have rejected management proposals on local issues, said USW spokeswoman Lynne Hancock. "They're not preparing for a strike," Hancock ... and more »

Cabot Corporation - Growth & Income NASDAQ Cabot Corporation ( CBT ) recently delivered its 5th consecutive positive earnings surprise as earnings per share grew 15% year-over-year. And management provided a positive outlook for 2012, prompting analysts to revise their estimates higher. and more »

San Francisco Art Institute Under Investigation For Recruitment Practices Huffington Post ... recruiting practices and job placement reporting at The Art Institute of California in San Francisco and seven other Art Institute campuses across the state, according to a new filing by the for-profit college owner, Education Management Corp. and more »