JOBTALKS
Motivating and Rewarding
Employees
Indiana University
Kelley School of Business
C. Randall Powell, Ph.D
Motivating and
Rewarding Employees
Discussion Session
Topics Covered
Hallmarks of a Motivated
Workplace
 Motivation Myths
 Motivation Tips
 Keeping Yourself Motivated
 What Motivates Employees
 Motivational Toolbox
 Things That Don’t Motivate
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Hallmarks of a Motivated
Workplace
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Commitment to results and
responsibility for actions
Open communication
Low employee turnover
Creativity and ingenuity, especially in
solving problems
Collaboration
Excellent customer service, both
internally and externally
Motivation Myths:
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Everyone is in agreement in a motivated
workplace
Motivated employees work plenty of
overtime
Employees who are motivated don’t need
much input from management
A formal plan for motivating employees is
unnecessary
Money motivates best
Why Motivate
Employees?
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The High cost of employee
turnover
Maintaining the competitive edge
Happy employees keep clients
happy
Attitudes are contagious.
Is yours worth
catching?
In a poll by Robert Half
International,
25% of HR executives said that a
lack of recognition is the most likely
reason a good employee would
leave a job.
Motivation Tips
Offer a positive work environment
 Keep lines of communication open
 Provide opportunities for
advancement
 Have fair compensation packages
 Recognize and Reward your
employees
 Encourage teamwork
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To Motivate Others,
You Need to be
Motivated
Stay Upbeat and Positive
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Laugh it up (Appropriate Humor)
Be cooperative and approachable
Practice open communication
Stay calm
Be part of the solution, not the problem
Choose your friends
Share good news
Finding Personal Motivation
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Take pride in your work
Practice good time-management skills
Pat yourself on the back
Indulge your passion, whether at work or after
hours
Take classes to indulge your creative side
Make time for friends
Do something totally different from your work
Relax over the weekends
Take a vacation
Change your routine, get a different perspective
Pay attention to your health
Lead by Example
If you are in a position of authority,
you’re a role model-whether you want
to be or not.
 Your actions and demeanor set the
stage for others.
 People will look to you as the
example of what is expected.
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Actions speak louder than
Words
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Come back on time from lunch
Honor deadlines and commitments
If something comes up and you can’t attend a
meeting, arrange for someone else to take your
place
Make sure that you show up for work each day
Offer to assist when you can
Show you really care by remembering birthdays,
taking employees out to lunch on occasion, and
regularly thanking them for a job well done
What motivates employees?
Different things motivate different
people
 People want to use their talents, skills
and knowledge
 People want to do something
rewarding and intrinsically valuable
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Your Motivation
Toolbox
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Balance
Benefits
Communication
Compensation
Corporate culture
Recognition and rewards
Responsibility
Teamwork
Training and promotions
REMEMBER!
What motivates you
doesn’t always motivate
your staff.
Balance
All work and no play makes
Jack a grumpy employee.
Benefits
Money isn’t everything
Insurance
Retirement plan
Incentives
Communication
It’s not just about what YOU
have to say.
Employees have opinions too!
Corporate Culture
What’s it like to work for your
company?
Recognition and
Rewards
Public Recognition
 Money
 Company Awards Programs
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Responsibility
Learn to Let Go and
Delegate
Teamwork
Collaborating=Success
Training and
Promotions
Training=professional growth
Things That Don’t
Motivate
Personal Attacks
 Embarrassing
 Governing by Fear
 Shouldering All Responsibility
 Overworking Employees
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Motivating and Rewarding Employees
Evaluation Questions
USE:
a. Strongly
agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly
disagree
e. Don’t know
1. I found the presentation material
easy to understand.
2. This Advantage session increased
my knowledge of the subject presented.
3. I will be able to use some of the
information from this session in the future.
4. The presenter was well prepared for this Advantage session.
5. This presentation should be repeated in future semesters.
If you would like
to learn more,
Career
Planning
Strategies
textbook will
supply additional
information on
this topic.