As organisations face tough times it is easy to lose focus. When people are faced with uncertainty, it is natural for them to worry more. The trouble is that when people get into excessive worry mode, organisations suffer in terms of productivity, motivation and results.
So how can you keep productivity, motivation and results high irrelevant of the circumstances?
Set Clear Expectations
Before you can achieve any results you need clarity about what is to be delivered. Start to be more specific about the results you want from different individuals, functions and teams.
Critically Review What You Are Doing
There are many activities going on in an organisation at any one time. Some of these will be directly contributing to results while others might just be using resources without any real return. Start to look at ways of eliminating those activities that are no longer contributing to results.
Start A Time Recording Process
Where are you and your people spending their time? When I worked in professional services I had to account for every 15 minutes of the day. Was it a bind? Yes it was but it certainly helped provide some real insight into where time was being spent. Remember that for most of us time is our ultimate limiting factor.
Make A Point Of Recognising More
Praising and formally recognising good work is one of the cheapest forms of motivation around. Yet when I ask people how often they do it I am constantly surprised how little it happens.
Find Out What Motivates People
If you don’t know what motivates people how are you ever going to get the best from them? It is one of the most common interview questions but sadly it seems that it is one of the least asked questions in the work place as a matter of routine.
The Bottom Line: Motivation, productivity and results are all linked in my experience. So what action could you be taking to increase productivity, motivation and results as a leader or manager?
Duncan Brodie helps leaders and managers deliver better performance and results. Learn more here
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.