As a construction leader, you have the opportunity to make an impressive impact on the industry as a whole. We depend on leaders like you to support the I Build America mission. But what is the number one thing you can do? Motivate your crew.
Studies show that the more motivated someone is, the more productive they are. And, the more productive they are, the better progress you’ll make for your construction company. Knowing the impact it can have should inspire you to prioritize employee motivation starting today.
Motivation can come in many forms. The trick is to find what motivates the individuals on your team. Some offer bonuses or an increase of health incentives at various milestones, but these short-term goals can often seem like a “carrot on the stick.” Today, we’ll break down our top three motivation tactics you can use to encourage employees to keep doing great work day in and day out.
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Lead by example.
Like a parent, coach or teacher, when a superior acts like a real role model, people naturally want to mimic their behavior. Your employees are watching your everyday behavior, even if you don’t realize it. That’s why it’s important to maintain a good attitude. If you have a good attitude, so will they. Keep in mind, you can’t overwork yourself and expect others to want to do the same. After all, the hardest workers aren’t always the happiest. Focus on keeping a good attitude and the rest will fall in place.
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Reinforce great work.
Studies show that people who feel valued do better work. Let your team know that you appreciate their work, no matter how big or how small their success. You don’t need to hand out trophies or throw celebratory parties every time a goal is met, but do make a point to call out when someone has done a good job. This will lead to even better work, boosted productivity and organizational success in the long-run. Trust us on this one, recognition is often a better motivator than money alone.
But don’t just stop at this one success. Once you start to notice your employees positively responding to your motivation, give them more responsibilities. It may sound backwards, but oftentimes the more responsibility an individual has, the more they improve.
Many of your crew members might be contractors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cutivate their development, too. Organize various trainings, covering everything from advanced skills to construction management software, to show you care about supporting their success as much as you care about supporting the organization’s success.
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Prioritize active involvement.
Encourage employee buy-in by sharing the big-picture organizational goals and showing how they fit into it. When they know they are more than just a “cog in the machine” and are a truly important part of the success of the organization, they will be encouraged to do their part.
Not only can you give employees insight into their impact on the greater organizational good, it’s important to also show your interest and involvement in their everyday work, too. We are so lucky to have such advanced technology to work with. But don’t let innovations overshadow human interactions. Show your team you care by stopping by the jobsite. You’ll gain as much from the visit as they will. Not only will it give you the opportunity to see their work in action, but you’ll also show that you value the opinion of those working on the frontline.
If you take the time to follow these three tips, you’re sure to see a decrease in employee turnover and an increase in productivity. When your crew is motivated, you’ll be able to better take care of your clients and create a more enjoyable work experience for all.
