The key to a successful business is having motivated and engaged employees. Employee engagement and motivation are two of the most important factors differentiating between being ordinary, and being extraordinary. They are used in a similar fashion and often for the same purpose, which can make them difficult to distinguish from each other. So what is the actual difference between employee engagement and team motivation?
Employee Motivation
Employee motivation is the level of energy and enthusiasm an employee brings to work. Motivation can be both intrinsic and extrinsic and will vary depending on the person.
Intrinsic motivation is based on feeling passionate about one’s work because they enjoy doing it, or that they enjoy the pride and satisfaction that comes from a job well done.
Extrinsic motivation revolves around being spurred to action by an external force, either positive or negative in nature. An example of a positive force could be a reward (such as extra time off or a bonus), whereas a negative force could be to avoid an unpleasant situation (such as an angry boss or the risk of being terminated).
Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is a workplace approach in which creating the right conditions for all employees results in them giving their best at work each day, committing to the organization’s goals and values, and feeling motivated to contribute to the success of the company, with an enhanced sense of their own wellbeing.
Why is Employee Engagement and Motivation Important?
Employee engagement and motivation are very closely connected, and finding the right combination and balance of engagement and motivation is the recipe for success. According to Gallup, a company with over 50 years of employee engagement research, engaged employees have higher autonomy, put in more effort, and stay with your company even during tough times. Highly engaged employees are a competitive advantage, add to your brand, and help build a positive work culture.
Measuring how engaged and motivated your employees are is essential to ensure high levels of employee engagement and motivation.
Applicable Employee Motivation and Engagement Strategies
Building a successful company, it’s not only the way of finding the right combination of engagement and motivation; as a manager, you must also figure out what makes every single one of your team members tick. There are several employee motivation and engagement strategies, here are five of them.
5 Strategies to Improve Employee Motivation And Engagement
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Recognition and Rewards:
Employees feel motivated when their hard work is recognized and rewarded. Recognition can be a simple thank-you note, a public shoutout during a meeting, or a bonus.
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Professional Development:
Many employees are motivated by growth opportunities. Providing access to training, development programs, and other resources can help employee engagement and motivation rise dramatically.
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Flexibility and Work-Life Balance:
Offering flexible work hours or remote work options can help employees better balance work and spare time. In return, this can lead to increased job satisfaction and higher levels of engagement.
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Regular Feedback:
When employees understand their sense of purpose in the company and how their work contributes to the organization’s success, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged. Therefore, providing regular employee feedback is essential to build motivation and engagement.
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Team Building Activities:
Team lunches, playing laser tag, or a trip to an off-site retreat are examples of team building activities that can do wonders for your team and company. These activities can help employees build stronger relationships with their colleagues, improve teamwork, and feel more connected to the company.
Whether it is employee benefits, job autonomy, or employee appreciation, make sure you get to know your team to learn which employee motivation and engagement strategies work best for each one of your team members. This can be conveyed through, for example, one-on-one meetings or employee wellness surveys being sent out. If you are sending out surveys, measure employee engagement and work motivation to be able to work proactively.
Improve Employee Engagement to Increase Motivation Levels
Employee engagement and work motivation are closely intertwined. Improving employee engagement to increase motivation levels can be done in several ways. First, as supportive management, engaging your employees with recognition, possibilities to grow, and team-building activities can increase motivation levels significantly. A tight team of proud and skilled employees will also inspire others and attract new superstars to your company.
Increase Employee Engagement and Work Motivation With The Remente Mental Wellness Platform
Need help increasing employee engagement and motivation? Proving that your company cares about your employees is an essential factor that improves engagement and motivation at work. At Remente, we provide a digital mental wellness platform with motivational tools, courses for personal (and professional) growth, and daily coaching with a guide explaining different concepts of self-care.
A wellness survey measuring mental wellbeing, employee engagement, and motivation is sent out regularly to your employees. The survey allows your employees to answer anonymously and provide you with real-time data to make well-grounded decisions.
Want to learn more about team motivation and how employee motivation and job satisfaction are linked? Visit our blog to read other useful guides and interesting articles, or sign up for a free demo of Remente today and experience the difference it can make yourself.