The Top 7 Things Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Employees

As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and to make their businesses more profitable, I often encounter some serious misunderstandings of human nature. These misunderstandings usually lead business leaders in the wrong direction when they attempt to inspire their employees to perform at a higher level. Fortunately, you can avoid these pitfalls if you understand a few key points about the people you lead.

1) They are not motivated by money alone

In numerous studies conducted over the last fifty or sixty years, researchers have concluded money is not the prime motivator for most people. Yes, people work for money -- but it is not their biggest motivator.

One famous model of behavior ? Maslow's hierarchy of needs ? yields a clue as to why this is true. In summary, Maslow's hierarchy says that all of us have five basic needs (physiological, safety & security, social, esteem, and self-actualization). According to Maslow, "a need once met no longer serves to motivate." If you have your physiological needs met (food, shelter, & clothing), more of the same will not inspire you to work harder.

Employers help people meet their physiological needs with money. More money will not necessarily get people to work harder.

It is true that some people work harder for more money, but many will not. If you want to inspire high-level performance, you've got to dig deeper. You must work to understand what motivates each person on your team.

2) They don't want their worth determined by the number of hours they are at work

I once heard a business owner say, "An entrepreneur is someone who will work 80 hours a week for themselves so that they don't have to work 40 hours a week for someone else." I have found this statement to be very accurate.

Many people believe that what motivates them also motivates others. When it doesn't, they often get frustrated and confused.

Remember that your business is your dream, not your employees' dream. They probably want to do a good job, but they don't want you to evaluate them based on the number of hours they spend in your business. Reward them based on the quality and/or quantity of work they produce. Reward them for the service they provide to customers. Don't use "face time" as a measure of their worth.

3) They want to feel like part of a team

Most people want to be part of something great. Create an environment where people feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves, and they will respond favorably. Reward individual performance, but build the team. Avoid competition within your team at all costs. You want your team competing together to win your business competition. You don't want them fighting each other.

4) They want you to respect them

I've seen many entrepreneurs start a business to avoid an organization or a person who treats them with disrespect. Funny -- I often see these same people treat their employees with disrespect when they become the boss. What happened?

5) They want you to value their opinions

The studies that show money is not a prime motivator also find that people want their supervisor to show appreciation for their contribution at work. Show your appreciation and value their input. Your employees will truly be your greatest asset.

6) They want to make a difference

People like to do things that matter. People need to feel like their contribution helped the team. Show your people how their work made a difference to team results, and you'll likely tap into their internal motivators.

7) They want your business to succeed

Most people realize that they are unemployed if your business fails. They don't want that any more than you do. Listen to them. Learn from their insights. They may not have your monetary investment in the business, but they do have a big stake in your success.

There you have it. Seven things you need to know about employees. As I look back over the article, I see that it begs the question "What about people who don't want to be part of a team?" or "What about the employee who doesn't want to make a difference?" I know they're out there, but I don't believe they represent a majority of the population. If you have an employee who doesn't care, why are they still your employee? Don't waste your time on people who really don't want to contribute. Find someone who does and apply these seven tips to working with them.

Copyright 2005, Guy Harris

You may use this article for electronic distribution if you will include all contact information with live links back to the author. Notification of use is not required, but I would appreciate it. Please contact the author prior to use in printed media.

About the Author:

Guy Harris is the Chief Relationship Officer with Principle Driven Consulting. He helps entrepreneurs, business managers, and other organizational leaders build trust, reduce conflict, and improve team performance. Learn more at http://www.principledriven.com

Guy co-authored "The Behavior Bucks System TM" to help parents reduce stress and conflict with their children. Learn more about this book at http://www.behaviorbucks.com

---

4 Tips for Keeping a Team Motivated

Companies often have incentives for reps, but sometimes that isn't... Read More

Checklist for High Performing Teams

Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More

Consensus: The Right Team Decision Strategy?

Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More

How Leaders Unlock Potential in Teams

Leaders are faced with unlocking the potential in the people... Read More

Teamwork in the Workplace: A Definition

A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More

Dealing with Difficult People: Ten Ways to Improve Your Communications Success

Have you noticed that some people seem to stop listening... Read More

Building The Winning Team

Winning teams aren't created by accident. Rather, the team or... Read More

Presenteeism - present in body absent in productivity

Presenteeism is alive and 'not well' in many businesses today.... Read More

Motivate People with Feedback

Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More

High Performing Teams: 10 Things You Want To Know About Building A High Performing Team

"Conflict becomes politics, commitment becomes 'Only if it's in my... Read More

Yes, But What Are You Really Saying?

More and more I hear people misunderstanding what someone else... Read More

Cross-Cultural Communication: Grin and Jump In!

Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those... Read More

Manage Expectations to Reduce Everyday Frustrations

Just today my partner Russ and I sat down to... Read More

3 Steps To Successfully Build A Team In Any Program

Any x by y matrix plan has one big risk...... Read More

Why Is Teamwork Training Important?

"When teamwork kicks in, nobody can beat you." Don Shula,... Read More

How To Encourage Ideas From Your Team At Meetings

You're at a meeting with key staff. You want some... Read More

Joy and Laughter in the Workplace: Lessons From the Land of OZ

Turbulent TwistersYou've read about it in the headlines and experienced... Read More

How to be Healthier and Happier In Your Organisation

Did you know your work environment can actually make you... Read More

How the P.R.I.D.E. Team Changed my Call Center

Several years ago I took an assignment as a Manager... Read More

Franchisor Award Programs; Ideas and Innovation

Franchisors should also be heavy on the award side of... Read More

Build a Great Team - Ten Easy Ways to Start!

It's all about focusing on where the best value in... Read More

Winning Teams on the Football Field and in the Office

Teams, teams, teams. They're all the rage these days. Whether... Read More

Beyond Brainstorming ? Large Groups

When leaders, consultants and managers require ideas, they automatically tend... Read More

5 Reason Why Team Has A 4 Figure Income

You are new to Internet Marketing, you join one Affiliate... Read More

Franchisee Relations and Team Work

Franchisees of a particular franchise must get along in order... Read More

The 5 Bes of Motivation

It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More

How to Turn Idea Squashers into Possibilities

Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However,... Read More

Motivation - The Benefits of Spending Time with Your Team

Benefit 1 - You get to understand them betterAlmost everyone... Read More

Why People Dont Listen... and Some Fun Things You Can Do About It

It's frustrating when your co-workers, audience members, teenager or even... Read More

How To Help A Sick Team Become Healthy

Team Building Question:A team is full of animosity, pretended interpersonal... Read More

Team Development in the Little Leagues

A grassy field, two nets, a soccer ball and some... Read More

Always In Motion Is The Future

It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More

Landscaping Business; Employee Relations

There are few industries or service type businesses, which are... Read More