It’s easy to spot a motivated and engaged employee. They are more productive, they go the extra mile, and they display a sense of ownership in their work.
But how do you replicate this culture throughout your organization? How do you encourage and support your staff to feel empowered, driven and invested? In Japan, it is common for staff to see their job as much more than a paycheck. They want to feel that they are contributing to something greater. Tapping into this can allow you to secure and retain top talent.
In this blog, we share 6 tips for fostering a positive workplace culture that will see your employees more motivated and more engaged.
1. A top-down approach
The leaders of an organization are responsible for inspiring the workplace. A ‘bad boss’ is one of the most common reasons a person resigns. On the other hand, a boss that helps employees feel valued can make a huge difference.
Leaders must connect individuals’ objectives to the ultimate goal and vision of the organization to allow employees to feel they are a part of something bigger. By showing trust, delegating responsibilities, and involving employees in decision making processes, leaders can encourage a sense of ownership.
2. Clear communication
Respectful and consistent communication provides clarity and transparency for employees. It fosters a culture of feedback, listening and improvement between staff and an executive team. Leaders should be approachable and accessible.
Here are some strategies for effective communication with employees:
- Be clear on what is expected
- Use success-oriented language
- Focus on the mission and difference
- Exchange feedback
- Ask questions
3. Different sources of motivation
Each person is motivated by different factors. Understanding these individual drivers is crucial for creating a workplace that fosters high morale, productivity, and job satisfaction. Personal motivations will stem from a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
Intrinsic motivations could include a sense of purpose, the desire for growth and development, the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles. Extrinsic motivators could be rewards, recognition, financial incentives or career advancement. Tailor motivational strategies to align with individuals in your team.
4. Provide meaningful work opportunities
Most staff are motivated when they feel their work is meaningful. A sense of purpose in work can contribute to improved job performance, satisfaction and well-being.
This is especially true in Japanese business culture, where nurturing one’s ikigai is considered highly valuable. Ikigai is about finding deep fulfillment and longevity in a strong sense of purpose. Learn more about how ikigai is an opportunity for the pharma industry.
5. Create a culture of recognition
Companies may recognise employees for key achievements, milestones, work successes, going above and beyond. Some companies make this an ‘end-of-year’ event, but when recognition becomes part of the company culture employee motivation and performance drastically improves.
Affirmation, feedback and reward is considered a highly effective way to motivate employees. People who feel recognised are more likely to drive innovation and bring forward new ideas. They are more willing to exceed expectations and put in extra effort. They feel more positively towards their employer and are more likely to stay with the company.
6. Remunerate fairly
Money is not the only motivating factor for employees, in fact higher pay does not indicate better results or performance. But when salaries are not perceived to be fair, it does have a critical impact on how people feel about their workplace. In other words, money can demotivate staff. It is recommended that you offer a salary that is above average for your industry and location, to demonstrate to employees that you value their contribution.
Leaders must take an active approach to motivating and engaging their employees. Creating a culture that encourages job satisfaction and recognises performance can be your key to attracting and retaining high-performing talent.
Book a discovery session with Morunda and crack the code to hiring in Japan.
