Motivate your employees with autonomy

There has been some interesting research conducted about the motivators behind employee performance. Many managers and company owners believe that employees need to be given incentives (mainly monetary incentives) to make them produce more, to be more engaged in the organization, or to maintain a high morale. However, through research, this is proving to be the wrong way of thinking.

It appears that the best way to develop employee performance (as well as retention) is to give people more independence and freedom to make their own decisions. Why is that? Well, research has found that employees who are not allowed to make their own decisions at work also do not have any ability to make any changes within the company. This causes employees to wait until they are told what to do, and instead of working to grow and develop the organization, they await their next 'order'.

On the other hand, when employees are empowered to make decisions and interject their thoughts, they become much more engaged with the organization and buy-in is increased. Additionally, the increased engagement allows employees to believe they have the power and understanding to handle any problem that may arise. As managers, we want and need subordinates who can handle problems without the need for constant reassurance or guidance.

Some employees may need to work up to being autonomous, and others are already able to handle the responsibility. Only you, as the manager, will know who is ready and who is not. The first step is to discuss the need for autonomy with your fellow managers and be sure each of you understands its importance within the organization. The next step is to discuss this new way of thinking with your employees and ask for their input and thoughts. Incorporate these ideas into a newly developed way to manage, and use this plan to take your organization to new levels.

Remember to recognize employees for their ideas and efforts, whether the organization adopts an idea or not. This will continue to foster the belief that each employee is an important addition to the organization and has as much to offer as those people above him or her in the organization.