Managers constantly struggle to create incentive systems to drive productive activity in the workplace. And while incentive systems are important there is compelling evidence that increasing the energy of employees and harnessing that energy is more important. Creating that energy comes from employees feeling they are making progress in the work that they do.
The challenge of the manager then is to do everything they can to create the perception as well as the reality of keeping progress moving forward. What happens when forward progress is being made? Many things happen, but they are really hard to quantify.
1) The worker is more confident.
2) The worker has the ability to make clearer and better decisions.
3) The worker has more energy and focus and is more “engaged” in the work that he/she does.
4) And with such focus the work actually gets done in a more efficient manner.
Progress is quantifiable only when someone knows what the goal is. You have to know where you are starting from and where you will be when the goal is achieved. It is only then that workers can feel they are making progress. This quantifiable information then needs to be presented to demonstrate the forward progress. Often it is financial information presented in the form of financial statements or graphs, but it can come in other forms as well.
Every day the manager should make sure he/she is doing everything they can to demonstrate the progress of their workers.
-First, have clear goals.
-Second, constantly monitor the progress toward those goals.
-Third, communicate that progress.
(Note, if you would like a complete Discussion Point on which this blog is based on please contact our office and we will be happy to furnish you with a copy.)
