If your team’s performance is lack lustre, or you just feel that your office could be doing better, you may have considered rewarding effort with money as a motivator.

But wait! Before you do, there are other ways that are more effective according to Ilya Pozin in a recent Inc. article.

Pozin suggests that there are 9 better motivators which will rejuvenate and inspire your team’s performance.  This could be just what you’re looking for in order to kickstart 2012:

1. Praise generously:  Pozin says that praise from the CEO carries tremendous weight and it should be given in recognition of every achievement or improvement.  If you feel awkward, begin by praising privately but as soon as you get the hang of it, do it in front of the team.  You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
2. Dispense with managers. Empower everyone to be responsbile for the success of the project and make sure they all know that they’re part of the team – no one wants to let their fellow team mates down and it inspires them to go the extra mile and get the job done quicker and better.
3. Let them own your ideas.  It’s a natural thing for people to hate to be ‘bossed’ – so introduce ideas by making them feel as if they came up with them.  Pozin suggests reframing  “I’d like you to do it this way” turns into “Do you think it’s a good idea if we do it this way?”  
4. Don’t tear down – build up:  Instead of criticism, ask for feedback on what the person thinks might have been a better approach.  This takes away the accusatory tone and replaces it with a collaborative tone which will elicit serious thought focused on improvement rather than a defence of a less than successful activity. 
5. Empower each team member to lead.  Find the strength in each member and tell them that because of this strength, you’d like them to lead and set the example in that particular area. Not only does this highly motivate each person, but it also raises the standard of their performance in that area.
6. Do lunch. On a regular, but random basis, surprise a team member by inviting them to lunch. They’ll feel appreciated and noticed and it will give you a chance to tell them how much you appreciate their work.
7. Recognition and Rewards.  Recognition is often its own reward, so set things up so that achievements are publicly recognized – perhaps in staff meetings, or as results tracked on a whiteboard or a plaque in the common area.  In addition your team will love small rewards on a regular basis such as spa services or dinner.
8. Party together. Special occasions during the year shouldn’t be the only time you do something together as a team.  Organized get together social events frequently to build team spirit.
9. Let the team share in the good and the bad. You’re a team, right?  Everyone’s responsible for the successes – and likewise for the failures.  So celebrate when you have wins and share the disappointments too.  Be honest and transparent so that everyone truly feels connected and part of the solution.

Read the original article here.

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