Leaders are often thought of as facilitators who motivate and inspire employees. However, human resources professionals are equally crucial in uplifting positive change and connections within and throughout the organization. Their action here is necessary as employee motivation is critical for any organization, no matter its size or industry. 

Motivated employees demonstrate strong engagement and alignment with their organization’s core values. HR can elevate processes to inject a culture of belonging, adopt goal setting with regular check-ins and champion an effective work-life balance.

Let’s dive into HR professionals’ necessary steps to motivate teams and how actionable strategies can transform teams.

Boost a culture of belonging

Whether big or small, celebrating wins can positively impact a person’s outlook and drive to succeed. Sometimes all it takes is knowing the job’s been well done to turn an employee’s good day into a great week. 

How can HR help further uplift co-worker connection and boost success?

One significant way is to provide an outlet for employees to celebrate and congratulate peers on wins and personal achievements. This forum could be through internal social platforms such as Slack, email, newsletters, group chat and virtual workforce meetings. Providing a group forum where people can celebrate helps boost employee connections and confidence while fostering positive workplace relationships.

Another step HR should take to ensure motivation in workplace culture is to create prompts for managers to help assess and identify their team member’s needs to maintain engagement and motivation. Alternatively, management training sessions aid in upholding employee relationships and encouragement.

By celebrating and acknowledging employee accomplishments, meaningful team relationships emerge to create a positive work culture.

Provide routine check-ins

With the collaboration of the human resources department, managers and leaders can find opportunities to request insight from employees and provide feedback. This intentional two-way communication may reveal and address what’s working and what’s not. Additionally, by offering regular check-ins, employees will feel heard.

HR can also provide regular culture surveys to gauge how the organization is doing. When done anonymously, employees are compelled to share honestly. A semi-annual culture survey will produce insight into employees’ satisfaction, how engaged and motivated they feel within the organization, and if they feel adequately and personally valued. Sharing these findings can spark real change in your workplace.

Emphasize work-life balance

Burnout has become a genuine plague in the workplace. The line between work and home has become muddled for some, and this lack of work-life balance can severely affect employee morale and motivation. Motivating your employees helps them achieve a positive work-life balance and boost teams’ confidence.

One method of motivating employees is amplifying the importance of using paid time off. While vacations cannot solve burnout alone, it does make a refreshing difference in elevating morale. HR professionals should monitor who may need to use PTO, such as employees who might not have had a break in months. HR can hold one-to-one conversations with employees who may be struggling and work alongside them and their manager to develop an action plan to improve their wellbeing and performance.

By implementing procedures to inspire motivation and productivity, HR shows employees that they’re deeply valued. HR is a vital bridge to help manage and preserve internal motivation, and by building critical methods to recognize and celebrate employees, the workplace becomes productive and connected.