The Manager's Pocket Guide to Motivating Employees

What Gets Your People Excited?

Some managers don’t understand that everyone’s motivations are different. It’s the equivalent of buying one key and expecting it to unlock any lock. The idea of course is that each lock is different and takes a different key. The same is true with people: The motivating approach must be different for each person. When managers meet with employees to discuss their goals and growth, they should ask many questions to try to uncover their real needs. It is only by meeting these needs that a motivating environment can be created. Here are some questions that managers should ask employees in order to uncover their needs:

•   What are your career goals for the future? In one year? In five years?

•   What kind of work really ...