Maximizing team productivity and encouraging innovation is crucial for success. While many factors contribute to high-performing teams, one of the most impactful is leadership that genuinely values employees. Leaders who prioritize their team members’ well-being and professional growth create a positive work environment and drive significantly better results.
You might think that you value your employees, and you might even consider yourself adept at showing your high-performing employees how much they matter to you and the organization. But if you’re not showing your key players that you value their contributions in a way that makes them feel valuable, your efforts are missing the mark.
Everyone is motivated differently
Everyone on your team has a Motivational Dimension profile that is unique to them. You may have Achievers that have Influencer as a secondary dimension, and they may operate with those Dimensions uniquely.
Communicating that you value that Achiever by telling them you are grateful they put others first will not motivate them. You see, Achievers are motivated by their own individual performance and want recognition and accolades for what they bring to the table.
If you’re recognizing them for something better suited as a motivator for a Relator, for example, your efforts to show recognition and value to your key Achiever will fall flat.
And it can get even more nuanced than that. Knowing the key motivations underneath the Motivational Dimension can provide even greater insight into how your key employees perceive being valued by leadership.
Why valuing employees matters
When leaders demonstrate that they value their employees, it has a ripple effect throughout the organization:
- Increased engagement. Employees who feel valued are more likely to be engaged in their work. They invest more energy and creativity into their tasks.
- Higher motivation. Valued team members are intrinsically motivated to perform well, as they feel their contributions matter.
- Improved retention. When people feel appreciated, they’re less likely to look for opportunities elsewhere, reducing costly turnover.
- Enhanced trust. Leaders who value their teams build stronger relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
- Better communication. Open and honest communication flourishes in environments where employees feel their voices are heard and respected.
How valuing employees boosts productivity
These positive effects translate directly into increased productivity:
- Discretionary effort. Valued employees often go above and beyond their job descriptions, putting in extra effort to achieve team goals.
- Innovation. When people feel safe sharing ideas, innovation thrives. This leads to process improvements and creative problem-solving.
- Collaboration. Teams that feel valued by leadership tend to collaborate more effectively, leveraging diverse skills and perspectives.
- Reduced absenteeism. Employees who feel appreciated are less likely to take unnecessary time off, ensuring consistent productivity.
- Faster problem resolution. In a culture of trust, issues are brought to light and addressed more quickly, minimizing disruptions.
Practical ways to show you value your team
Ideally, having your team go through the Motivation Code assessment will give you insights into what they value so you can better communicate how valuable they are. But leaders can show their people they are valued in some key ways.
- Recognize and reward good work regularly to show that their contributions matter to the organization.
- Investing in professional development and growth opportunities is a key motivator for many, but especially Learners.
- Seek and act on employee feedback, removing blockers, perceived limitations, and even insecurities around their performance.
- Promote work-life balance and show interest in the whole person that your team member is outside of their daily work.
- Provide the resources and support needed so everyone can contribute above and beyond expectations.
- Be transparent about company goals and challenges and let your people know how critical they are to achieving goals and overcoming obstacles.
- Show empathy and flexibility when personal issues arise so that your key people don’t feel that they need to choose between family, health and their jobs.
Leaders create a virtuous cycle of engagement, satisfaction, and productivity by consistently demonstrating that they value their employees. Where talent is a key differentiator, this leadership approach isn’t just nice to have – it’s a competitive necessity.
If you’d like to amplify your communication of appreciation and value to your key people, ensure that you bring Motivation Code into your organization. Understanding your people and communicating with them in a way that brings out their core motivations and values is a game-changing experience that can create greater team cohesiveness, greater motivation, and better outcomes. Reach out to our team to learn more.
