Demotivated employees lead to a loss in productivity, which you or your business can ill-afford. While throwing financial incentives may appear to be the easy solution, it isn’t economical and it doesn’t address the root of the problem. Focusing on the environment your employees are working in is often far more effective.

Become a strong and positive leader

Your presence within your business has an impact on your employees’ morale. If you choose to be the kind of leader who consistently demotivates their employees and points out their flaws, you’ll soon find that their productivity and dedication diminishes.

Instead, choose to enter your workplace with a positive attitude on a daily basis. This doesn’t have to mean ignoring laziness or lax behaviour, but you should start focusing on your employees’ positive contributions to the workplace before doling out criticism. From an item as simple as a thank you card for a new employee hitting a target to approaching someone to tell them you appreciate their dedication, the smallest of gestures have morale-boosting effects.

Encourage career progression

Employees will often jump from business to business when they feel they’ve acquired enough experience in one area to achieve a more powerful position in another. If your company does have room for career progression, make sure your employees are aware of this. Those who feel as though they can step into more senior shoes in an envrironment they’re already in will do so, as they’ll be able to remain in a workplace where they know the lay of the land and have fostered strong relationships with their colleagues.

Let them know you care about their home life

Whether your employee lives with their alsation or a partner and two kids, take a few minutes out of your day to ask them how their home life is. By showing that you recognise them as a whole person and not just someone who makes a contribution to your business, you make them feel at home. Other ways to do this include adopting a flexible working policy for those with caring responsibilities and incorporating family members into your business’s days and evenings out.

Be positive about your brand

If you believe your brand is rubbish, how can you expect your employees to see it any other way? Whether it’s investing in cheap stationery with the company’s logo or talking away about how your business has made a positive contribution to the local community, the words and actions you express are reflected by those who work around you. Doing this is especially important when the company is going through a hard time, as this is when it’s more susceptible to feelings of negativity in the workforce.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask your employees for feedback. Listen to their concerns, and if they’re feeling less positive about work, try to determine why this is. In doing so, not only do you stand a stronger chance of motivating them, you may identify key business flaws that you failed to spot yourself.