Keeping an employee “in loop” is something else that is important to motivation. When an employee feels he or she is not up-to-date with what is occurring in company or their department, that is a message to employee that says, “You are not important.” That’s not kind of message that increases motivation. Keep information flowing to each employee; let them know what company is doing and direction it is taking.

Stay flexible. Make an absolute effort to ensure your employee is not tied up in red tape. If an employee is not able to solve problems with a degree of flexibility because there are too many company rules hampering common sense progress, an employee feels nothing but frustration. Motivation is not built on frustration.

Constant check-in with higher-ups when working on a project undermines an employee’s confidence and willingness to think for themselves. It also deteriorates motivation.

Make sure plenty of sufficient resources are available for an employee’s use. Motivation cannot thrive if an employee is constantly faced with having inadequate resources to do job.

Create a fun and stimulating work place. Let everyone address each other on a first name basis or have a “casual dress day”. Encourage employees to create a work environment that is as comfortable as possible and not so office-like by bringing in personal pictures and things such as plants, for example. This will only promote creativity and, in long run, increase motivation.

Communicate with your employee. Find out what interests them and what doesn’t. Speaking with an employee frequently shows that you care about them in more ways than simply wanting them to keep up with productivity. This will increase an employee’s motivation as well.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Keep these points in mind and motivation will have a chance to soar:

* Employee contribution important

* Recognition from an employer a must

* Retaining respect of peers and colleagues

* Keeping employee informed

* Stay flexible and make sure employee can avoid as much red tape as possible

* Constant check-in with higher-ups only leads to micro managing and lack of motivation

* Make sure an employee has sufficient resources available to them

* Create a fun and stimulating work environment

* Make sure you communicate

Keeping these methods of compensation in mind is what it takes to understand what it is that drives your employee to want to do a better job. They must WANT to do a better job or work they do will never be as excellent as it could be. If you are ever in doubt as to what it is that drives your employee, simply ask, either in a group meeting or one-on-one. In fact, asking an employee what it is that motivates him or her is a good idea right from start. Then, you can always be sure of what to provide.

All in all, make sure that money isn’t only thing you can offer an employee to increase his or her motivation. If it is, then as soon as money is better somewhere else, your employee’s motivation will definitely increase…working for other company.

Myron Curry is President and CEO of BusinessTrainingMedia.com a leading corporate training and development company based in Encino, California. Myron has over 20 years of successful management and business development experience. He has worked with leading fortune 500 companies and has written numerous articles. You can contact Myron at: myron@business-marketing.com or visit his company's web site http://www.businesstrainingmedia.com

Who is your mastermind group?

4. Embrace Challenges Michael’s challenges began before his first Olympics. He was a son of divorced parents. Yet, he never used that as an excuse. After 2000 Summer Olympics, his challenge was how do I become a gold medal athlete? He took a hard look at himself and received feedback from his mastermind group concerning how to make his weaknesses his strengths, and how to make his strengths best in world. He attacked those weaknesses with gusto everyday in practice.

When was last time you asked question, “How can I improve my skills to become best?”

5. Never Give Up! Ms. Phelps joked with audience that as a mother, Michael’s style of swimming made her crazy. You see, Michael, is a “comeback” swimmer. In most cases, he is behind in his races. Then at last moment, with a burst of energy and an iron-willed belief he will win, he comes from behind to win race. He believes that he can win every race as long as he is in pool. He never gives up on his belief that he can win.

Do you believe that you can win every race?

As Ms. Phelps left ballroom, we embraced; and she wished me best. As she walked out door, I thought that Phelps family is truly living a “goal” medal life…and you can too. Start today.