We all live in our minds. Every day, every one of your team members engages in an ongoing internal dialogue that influences their perceptions, emotions and motivations.
Understanding and shaping these inner work conversations can be a game-changer for you and your managers and, when done right, will drive up productivity and engagement.
Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, authors of The Progress Principle, conducted extensive research using nearly 12,000 daily diary entries from employees across various businesses.
They found that success or failure often comes down to the inner work lives of employees.
They identified four key outcomes influenced by a manager’s leadership:
- Productivity – engaged team members work harder and more efficiently
- Creativity – people perform at their creative best when they feel valued and motivated
- Commitment – a strong inner work life fosters loyalty and dedication
- Collaboration – positive internal dialogues encourage teamwork and cooperation
Their research determined that the best way to motivate your team daily is by facilitating progress. When your people feel they are making meaningful advancements in their work, when they see the meaning behind that work and when you remove obstacles that hinder progress and recognise and celebrate small wins every day, their motivation and engagement will increase.
Don’t leave the managerial skills in your firm to chance.