Companies, no matter the industry or size, all know the difficult task of keeping their employees motivated. This responsibility can be even more challenging during the winter months, especially for construction companies in the Midwest, who are often forced to put their projects on hold due to cold weather and harsh winter conditions, leaving their dedicated employees without work for months. In warmer areas, like Arizona, the winter months are their busiest time of the year, as they have perfect conditions and lower temperatures. In both circumstances, workers can become defeated and tired while either waiting for work to begin again or being overworked in a short amount of time. We have provided a few examples of how you can keep all your workers motivated, eager, and working to their fullest potential.
Acknowledge and Reward
A key tactic in keeping your employees engaged and motivated is acknowledging accomplishments, no matter the size. A simple 'good job' or recognition of any kind can go a long way, as most employees appreciate any kind of positive feedback from their supervisors. Appreciation doesn't always have to be monetary; in fact, verbal acknowledgment is found to be the greatest form of intrinsic motivation and can have a longer-lasting effect on the employee.
Non-Monetary Reward Examples:
- Employee of the Month/week: This is a great way to recognize hard-working employees and not only encourages them to do better but encourages strong workplace competition.
- Performance Reviews: Routine reviews are essential in setting goals and sticking to them. Schedule performance reviews with each of your employees and highlight the good they do while pushing them with future goals to motivate and encourage their success.
- Handwritten Thank You Cards: Handwritten notes are a classic way to show gratitude and motivate your employees, as it, in turn, makes them more likely to show their gratitude to their peers and customers. If you are thankful for your workers, they will be thankful for their jobs and the company and take pride in what they do.
Periodic Check-Ins
Checking in on your employees is an essential part of keeping them engaged and making them feel their ideas and their work matter. Whether your team is currently hard at work or off for the winter, when was the last time you asked each person how they think things are going? This simple task could make a difference in keeping your best employees just by showing them you value their time and work. In the off months, many workers have time to ponder the idea of working for another company, so give them a call and remind them why they should work for you.
Allow Growth In The Workplace
"Leadership is not about being the best; it's about making everyone else better,"
- Anne
Day.
A common mistake often made by leaders in any industry is that they feel they have to be better than all of their subordinates. In reality, a leader's job is to improve the skills and productivity of their team to reach their full potential. Somewhere along the way, there is going to be a worker who surpasses the talents of the supervisor, and that is a job well done. To relate this to the construction industry, most workers are contract workers with a goal of leveling up. Offering free training, mentorship, and extra guidance will show your team that you want their lives and careers to improve.
Titan Machinery wants to see you and your team succeed as much as we want to succeed, and simple tools and tactics to make your team feel valued and respected help the future of your company. No matter the season or the amount of work that needs to be done, your employees can reach peak productivity with recognition, responsibility, and knowledge of future possibilities within the organization.