Who motivates the employees of an enterprise? Is it their boss? The HR department? A recent study suggests that it's friends and colleagues who are the primary source of motivation. Statistically, it's their motivation, communication, and encouragement that most strongly affect one’s feelings and boost employee engagement within the enterprise.
For many business owners, this should be a strong warning. A new study reveals figures that are cause for concern, showing that HR currently has less impact on employees than thought. What seems important here is to find ways to connect employees so that they can benefit from the increased motivation the provide one another.
Motivation Increases Productivity
As part of the study, 56 percent of surveyed participants also stated that the involvement of employees in their company was also related to their productivity. Increased motivation also results in the reduced likelihood of an employee looking for a new job.
It is important to not only offer motivation to employees, but to give them opportunities to capitalize on their abilities and realize their creative ideas. Recognition also plays a decisive role in regards to motivation. More than half of the respondents yearned for recognition and praise, which in turn affects their productivity and motivation.
Improving Employee Motivation
By way of proactive management, company leaders are able to increase motivation long-term—instead of opting for more silent ways of communicating. Only 29 percent of respondents said that they were already communicating proactively within their company. Often, the main challenge for organizational change isn't a lack of strategy but the inability to convey purpose, goals, and hard information to company-wide audiences.
By contrast, 56 percent of respondents gave a completely different impression, explaining that little to no feedback or information was being relayed within their companies.
Closing the Gap Between Employees and HR
It's important that HR is on the same level as other employees and doesn't act as an extended voice and/or ear for the executive team, but instead favors open communication and a lively exchange within the company by keeping an open heart and mind.
