These simple tips will help you create a healthy work atmosphere in which employees will be motivated to achieve the desired results.

  • Apply the Platinum Rule

It’s so obvious that each device has its user manual but also individuals have unique needs and desires. Some people need more recognition and appreciation. Others want more guidance and reassurance and there are people who like to operate as autonomous as possible.

The Platinum Rule by Tony Alessandra, which circulates for quite some years now, suggests to “Treat others the way they want to be treated”.

So read that user manual ! How ? Just ask your people or colleagues what kind of support they expect from you.

  •  Making mistakes is an important learning process

Consider them precious learning opportunities for yourself and your team. Talk about your own mistakes first. Vulnerability makes you more human and gives hope to people.

Are you a perfectionist ? Whenever you find a mistake, ask yourself first what the consequences really are. Then consider the best way to give constructive feedback in accordance with the personal user manual of the employee.

  • Be enthusiastic, make people feel involved and use humour

Check progress of the task in an enthusiastic, empathic manner with a touch of humour wherever possible. Get rid of that critical, controlling, worried look.

  • Build trust with your employees

Trust can be created by communicating  at different levels of intimacy with employees as opposed to purely communicating in a rational, business-like manner. Again this depends on each individuals’ personal preferences. It’s important to take into account introvert and extrovert personalities. The different levels of communication include small talk, ideas, opinions, emotions, needs and desires. An atmosphere of trust and openness is healthy soil to achieve success.

Interesting to see Simon Sinek’s TED talk about “Why good leaders make you feel safe”

  • Value your employees with positive feedback

Thank them for their efforts. Value their commitment, ideas, perseverance, talents, good teamwork…

  • And especially use people’s strengths to achieve goals

Just like a football coach needs to position players in the right place it is essential to assign tasks according to people’s strenghts and qualities : speed, accuracy, empathy, innovation, resilience and coping with stress….

Finally, I would like to quote the 9 principles of Dale Carnegie about what he calls ‘be a leader’ in a nutshell. They are good guidance to motivating and inspiring people.

  1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation
  2. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly
  3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticising the other
  4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders
  5. Let the other person save face
  6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be ‘hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise’
  7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to
  8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct
  9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest

Would you like to gain more insight into your own working style and communication style ? Learn more about how you can use your employees’ working styles in the most efficient way ? This is possible through individual Start2BU® coachings or team coachings. Request more information about the workshops on motivation, working styles, effective communication…

Want to learn more about how to be more authentic and transparent in your communication style ? Register here for the free Start2BU® online course “More authentic in 5 weeks”.

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