There’s a mis-match between what employers assume is generally most important to employees, and what employees say is most important to them;
| Employees say;
1. Appreciation 2. Feeling ‘in’ on things 3. Understanding attitude 4. Job security 5. Good wages 6. Interesting work 7. Promotion opportunities 8. Loyalty from management 9. Good working conditions 10. Tactful discipline
|
Supervisors think;
1. Good wages 2. Job security 3. Promotion opportunities 4. Good working conditions 5. Interesting work 6. Loyalty from management 7. Tactful discipline 8. Appreciation 9. Understanding attitude 10. Feeling ‘in’ on things
|
Next time you want to throw some more money at an employee as a reward, or to motivate them to do something, stop and ask, what’s really important to you?
It could be a change to the working environment, clearer information on the bigger picture, or simply some appreciation or acknowledgement for what they do.
Really take the time to listen for what’s most important to the individual, and It could be a surprising win / win.
