Billy Arcement, MEd.
Professional Speaker

Getting That Super Performance From Today’s Employees

By Billy Arcement, M.Ed.

In this article, I want to touch on practices that will develop motivation within your employees. Implementation of these ideas can only result in a more progressive, productive and prosperous organization.

The only true motivation is self-motivation. Your role is to address ways in which you can provide an environment that fuels self-motivation. As you read these points, why not look for ways to incorporate them into your organization.

If you want to develop super performance, you must respect individual differences. Today, it’s important for leaders to allow for individuality in the workplace. Look at the work style that best fits the individuals. Some employees need considerable freedom while others need strict guidance. Adapt your managerial style to those needs. Capitalize on those differences. Make individual differences work for you rather than against you.

As a manager, you must be professionally competent. Professionalism gains respect from employees. The days of being the “boss” and automatically commanding respect are gone. Leaders earn the respect of their employees and acting the role of a professional is an excellent way to gain that confidence. Learn all you can about your job and be willing to share what you know with your employees. A willing, sharing manager is a true professional.

We must lead by suggestion. The use of force to manage people has proved to be ineffective. Today, the use of such talents will result in being told to “Take this job and shove it.” Develop an atmosphere of freedom where individual initiative can flourish. Keep control but don’t over-supervise. Work hard to provide a successful experience for your employees.

A good manager knows how to assign responsibility. The most rewarding experience you can provide for your employees is to give them an opportunity to match their talents, interests and abilities with their job requirements. People are happiest when they do what they like to do and they generally like to do what suits their interests, talents and abilities. When assigning responsibility on the job, keep this fact in mind. Keen minds like challenges, not dull routine activities. Strive to understand your workers. Know their strengths and weaknesses. Capitalize on those strengths and work to improve weaknesses.

Remove obstacles to teamwork. Teamwork is essential for success. Provide a work environment that fosters the feeling of belonging to the group. Be constantly aware of worker attitudes and behaviors. Apathy must be stopped if teamwork is to develop.

When you must criticize, be tactful. We all need a bit of constructive criticism. That is part of growing professionally. Criticism only becomes negative when it is done improperly. Be sure to be specific and constructive, not vague and destructive. Criticism is also best done in private. Never, never criticize in front of others. That only serves to humiliate and destroy motivation.

Finally, give recognition and be genuine with your comments. No one appreciates a phony. How often has someone done a good job and we’ve failed to mention it to them? A simple acknowledgment that we know and care is all it takes.

Put motivation to work for you. This list is a start to get that task accomplished.

Billy Arcement is a highly respected and recognized expert on personal and organizational success techniques. His messages are timely, inspirational, humorous, and filled with refreshing warmth and sincerity audiences have come to appreciate. Always the teacher, Billy has dedicated his life to helping others reach their potential. He knows how to instill a sense of action and purpose.

He is the author of Searching for Success as well as numerous nationally published articles. To get his free electronic newsletter, News from the Swamp, call 888-376-7374, email your request to barcement@eatel.net or visit our web site at www.searchingforsuccess.com.

The Results Group
36570 Swamp Road South
Prairieville, LA 70769
(225) 677-9426 or
toll free (888) 376-7374
barcement@eatel.net