During the summer months, staying motivated and engaged is challenging for some. As a leader, finding ways to keep them inspired and focused is essential, ensuring productivity remains high during this time of year. Fortunately, that’s often far simpler than many leaders would expect. Here’s a look at how you can motivate and reengage your team this summer.
Encourage Summer Goals
Goal-setting is a powerful tool, as it gives team members a challenge that can boost their motivation. Have employees choose a target that aligns with something they’d like to accomplish at work before the summer ends. Then, create a way to track their progress, and offer encouragement as they work toward the objective.
As you work with your team, make sure that the goal is challenging but reasonably achievable. An unattainable target can lead to disengagement and frustration, so make sure any chosen targets are ultimately realistic.
Support Work-Life Balance
One reason that motivation and engagement wane during the summer is that it’s considered a season of fun. Plus, many professionals have increased obligations at home, particularly if they have children who are off from school.
Fortunately, you can overcome these feelings by supporting work-life balance. Providing a degree of flexibility, encouraging the use of paid leave, and similar steps give employees room to breathe, and that can have a significant impact on their mentality and mood.
Offer Growth Opportunities
Growth opportunities are known for boosting engagement. Along with the challenge involved in acquiring new skills, it puts employees on a path that can spur greater career success. Plus, offering growth opportunities shows that the company cares about its employees’ progress and is willing to invest in them, both of which raise morale.
You can use several approaches to increase access to professional development. Formal training is an option, as well as stretch assignments. You can also coordinate mentorship or job shadowing opportunities.
Engage in Team-Building
Scheduling team-building exercises during the summer can boost engagement, and it may allow you to take advantage of what the season has to offer. Outdoor recreation that involves collaboration and teamwork is ideal for this time of year, and it also allows employees to bond along the way. By scheduling those types of activities during work hours, you’re also creating a sort of mental break, all while helping your team work more effectively together.
Show Appreciation
Many companies limit their recognition activities to the holiday season, often because the timing is convenient and it’s near the end of the year. However, expressing your appreciation is something you should do all year round, particularly during the summer when motivation may taper off. Make sure your team knows it’s valued by thanking them often for their hard work. Even small gestures add up, so don’t underestimate their impact.
If you want an onboarding solution that can enhance engagement and motivate new hires, all while streamlining the process for all involved, Essium can help. Contact us to find out more about our modern onboarding solutions and how we can help your staffing firm thrive.
