How do I keep my team motivated and on track?

Getting motivated is easy! The real magic is ‘keeping’ your team (and yourself) motivated. Maintaining a motivated team that is aligned with company goals involves consistent communication, recognition, and opportunities for growth. In other words, motivation is not self-perpetuating! It requires a strategy and regular proactive attention to keep it fresh, energised, and on track to the right destination. Here are the steps to maintaining motivation in your team: 

 

1. Set clear, achievable goals: Break projects into specific, manageable chunks, ensuring each team member understands their role and the desired outcomes. Clear goals create a sense of purpose and help track progress. 

 

2. Regularly celebrate progress and wins: Acknowledge individual and team achievements, big or small. This can be through team shout-outs, emails, or awards (and it is even better if you find out how each individual prefers to be rewarded—everyone is different). Recognising efforts always boosts morale and inspires continued effort. 

 

3. Provide growth opportunities: Invest in training, upskilling, and mentorship to show your commitment to team members’ professional development. Nothing on earth inspires people more than enjoying their work, fulfilling their personal goals and knowing that someone else wants to invest in their future. 

 

4. Encourage ownership and autonomy: When individuals in a team believe in and contribute to the common goals and objectives, you do not need to micro-manage them. You will get the best out of people when you let them take ownership of their own tasks and projects. Autonomy fosters motivation and enables team members to feel valued and trusted.