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Every month in Connect magazine, ViewPoint puts forward a key question facing one of the island's main industry sectors - and then a group of leading practitioners give their take on the answer, and what it means for Jersey.
This month, Paul Coleshill, Nicola Reeves, and Pippa Davidson explain what they think is the key to successfully motivating a team of people.
Pictured: Paul Coleshill, Managing Director of BCR Consulting.
"The key to the successful motivation of a team of people is to be a leader that they respect and to ensure that the team motivates each other. Too many times when I consult, I hear the phrase “Well, it’s their job.” This may be true, but your employees are doing that job for you, and a little praise goes a long way. Training is a real motivator. If you invest in your team, they will reinvest their effort into your business.
"As leaders of teams, we need to be secure in our actions and not use an overly directive style. The decisions that we make need to stand up to scrutiny and above all be free from bias towards ‘favourites.’ It is human nature to gravitate towards certain individuals, but a good leader will be able to compartmentalize this and make sound, informed and rational decisions that everyone may not like - but that they will understand and respect.
"We should promote the concept that all members of the team are leaders and have a shared responsibility to motivate each other. To do this, provide the environment that allows them to work effectively and efficiently.
"The tone of the organization from the top should mirror that from the bottom; happy managers are happy leaders.
"It’s a myth that motivation comes purely from money. Ultimately, we want to be paid in a fair way for what we do. However, the reward of doing a good job, and being thanked for the job that you do, is worth more than money alone."
Pictured: Nicola Reeves, HR at JT.
"Listen. Empower. Integrate. Appreciate.
Listening to your team shows that you not only value their input but that you value them as individuals. By listening to your team, you begin to understand their desires, drivers, influencers and strengths and that each individual is different and provides something unique to the team and business. By nurturing these differences, and showing you care, you’ll build genuine rapport and positive team dynamics.
Empowering team members to make judgements provides a sense of responsibility and autonomy to make real decisions that matter. This ownership gives individuals a role to play in the strategic ‘bigger picture,’ and creates a thriving and proud team culture, based on trust.
Encouraging Integration with each other, the wider business, customers and stakeholders, provides an all-important sense of purpose. We all need this to feel motivated. It’s important that we each understand not only our role, but where the other puzzle pieces fit in providing the best products, solutions and experiences for our customers.
Lastly, but probably most importantly, is appreciation. Your team works hard and regardless of whether praise is the primary motivator, saying “thank you” sincerely, and recognising when individuals have gone above and beyond, is so important. Appreciate your team for all they contribute to the business, from the small routine jobs that have to be done, to the large lengthy projects that they’ve thrown themselves into for the past six months. Your business wouldn’t survive without them, so show them that their time, effort and positive attitude is genuinely valued."
Pictured: Pippa Davidson, Head of Funds and Director at Fairway Fund Services Limited.
"I feel the key to motivating a great team of people is engagement and continued investment in each individual. Every team member needs to feel valued, listened to and invested in. Often this can be hard in a business environment and becomes overlooked when client demands take over, however it’s the most important thing as ultimately if your team are happy, your clients get a better service and your business is stronger!
As Fairway is a fully locally owned and independent business, the directorship team is able to ensure employees aren’t treated as a number and get personal development opportunities to help them reach their goals. Having a flexible and nimble business helps us to consistently deliver this.
I feel that learning what makes someone tick, and what their ambitions are, is so important in engaging them and retaining great talent. Delivering opportunities to learn and creating chances for individuals to play to their strengths to build confidence, whilst also ensuring they are challenged at times, is essential in maintaining and motivating a team.
Above all, it’s about engagement of each team member, caring about who you work with and how you work as a team. It’s important for the managers to adapt their style so that they get the best out of every team member. Remain flexible and proactively find solutions when something isn’t working, and make sure you find time to connect and have fun as a team away from the office!"
If you would like to be included in a further panel of experts, email editor@bailiwickexpress.com
Read the full 'Viewpoint' column and CONNECT magazine's other features here.
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