4 effective ways for team leaders to motivate and inspire employees

A significant part of the Canadian economy is devoted to food processing. Food and beverage processors are Canada’s largest employer, accounting for 19.5 percent of all manufacturing jobs. According to Food Processing Skills Canada, 7 out of 10 employers face retention issues (67 percent), with the majority describing the problem as persistent and ongoing. One approach to improving employee retention is to focus on creating a pleasant work environment for employees and helping them in staying motivated during the workday.

In this article, we share our top tips for employers to keep teams motivated and engaged:

Encouraging employee autonomy

Embracing autonomy in the workplace can lead to higher employee job satisfaction and productivity. To inspire independence, Harvard Business Review recommends encouraging participation, avoiding controlling language and being clear about the “why” behind the tasks given to employees. According to the self-determination theory, autonomy is only one of three innate and psychological needs that must be met for employees to be motivated at work. Harvard Business Review examines the theory and discusses how it can be applied in the workplace.

Building a true coaching culture

Finding ways to motivate teams will help employers avoid low team productivity and increasing turnover rates. The Great Place to Work website suggests developing a training system that encourages more experienced staff to mentor and coach junior team members. This will create a culture where employees help each other learn and grow together.

Welcoming feedback to foster growth

Embracing a feedback-based culture will enhance employee relationships and make employees feel heard by management. According to Claude Werder, Senior Vice President and Principal HCM Analyst at Brandon Hall Group, active listening and thanking employees for their feedback, are all important steps in increasing team motivation.

Recognize and reward employees with "thank you"

When you hear words of encouragement from your manager or supervisor, even the most mundane tasks will become more enjoyable. Simple phrases like “thank you,” “please,” and “you’re doing an excellent job” can mean a lot to an employee and be the key to workplace happiness. Find more tips on how to motivate your team at The Balance careers.

Keeping teams motivated and engaged is just as important as hiring the right people in the first place. Employers in the food and beverage processing industry can reduce employee turnover and inspire long-term loyalty by following these simple guidelines. Employers planning to expand their teams can find qualified, reliable candidates by signing up for CareersNOW! For Business.

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