5 ways to close the workforce motivation gap and improve employee appreciation

When it comes to the workplace, having a motivated and engaged workforce is essential for success as it can improve productivity, employee retention, and customer service.

However, many businesses struggle with employee engagement; a survey by Management Consulting Company, Gallup, has shown as little as 9% of UK employees are truly engaged in their work. This is known as the “motivation gap,” and it is something that business leaders must take seriously if they want to build a successful company.

The answer to this?

Employee appreciation!

In some cases, the power of employee appreciation can often be overlooked, yet there are so many opportunities to demonstrate it.

To celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, let’s take a look at ways leaders can motivate their workforce:

Empower with purpose:

One of the reasons that the motivation gap exists is that many employees feel disconnected from their work. They may not understand how their work fits into the bigger picture, or they may not feel that their contributions are valued. This can lead to feelings of apathy and disengagement.

If employees struggle to understand what their purpose is, they can often lack the feeling that they’re making a significant impact to their organisation.

It’s important to help employees to understand how their role connects to the company’s mission and vision. This can help employees understand the purpose of their work and how it contributes to the company’s success, helping to provide them with a sense of purpose and importance, and making them feel appreciated for what they contribute to the organisation.

Recognising and Rewarding: 

Recognising and rewarding good work is an effective way to motivate employees. Recognising when an employee meets and exceeds expectations is all about communicating appreciation and value.

This could be through bonuses, promotions, or simply a heartfelt thank you.

A key mistake managers can often make is sending out generic and impersonal praise to employees. Taking a little bit of extra time to make sure employee praise is personal and specific can make them feel a lot more valued.

Encourage honesty: 

Hear everything your employees have to say, the good and the bad!

Encouraging employee feedback is an effective way to build trust and improve communication between employees and leaders. It shows that you care about the environment your employees are working with. Encouraging employee feedback can be done through employee surveys, focus groups, or regular check-ins.

Provide professional development opportunities:

Want to show your employees that you care? Offer them the opportunity to grow.

Employees want to feel like they are growing and developing in their careers. According to research by LinkedIn, having the opportunity for upskilling and career advancement are among some of the top priorities candidates have when seeking a new job.

By offering opportunities for professional development, such as training, mentoring, and other educational programs, business leaders can help employees feel fulfilled and motivated in their work.

Create a positive and inclusive workplace culture:

A positive and inclusive workplace culture is essential for employee engagement. By creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive, business leaders can help employees feel valued, appreciated and supported.

Employee appreciation is essential for closing the workforce motivation gap, and closing the motivation gap is essential for building a successful company.

By taking a proactive approach to employee engagement, business leaders can help employees feel appreciated, motivated, engaged, and fulfilled by their work. Not only does this benefit employees, By doing so, employers can enjoy benefits such as increased productivity, improved employee retention, and higher customer satisfaction.