Digital transformation is complex and challenging  - there are many "irons in the fire," and making meaningful change always carries a challenge. You feel like you're on a roller coaster with motivational ups-and-downs, but here's the good news – It's normal. This motivational challenge is regular practice in a team going through digital transformation. Fear of technology displacing jobs or discomfort with change can make motivating employees during transition difficult. 

Change

Tips for Managers to Increase Employee's Motivation

Team looking at something on computer

1. Answer Employee Questions

The first and most relevant way to help remain motivated during a digital transformation is by assisting employees through upskilling and ensuring that you can answer their leading questions. What are those questions?  

      a) Why are we moving to this technology?
      b) Why are we starting here? (When there are so many other areas I care about)
      c) How will this change the company (and, more specifically, my role)?

Put on your marketing hat and understand your team. What do they care about? How can we "sell the change" to them.   

2. Motivate by Example

The most important thing when leading change is showing enthusiasm. If you're not fully committed, then no one else will be either- even your team members may fear that their job could disappear at any time if they don't agree with the transformation process wholeheartedly enough! Be passionate about what's happening here and now. If you want your company to go agile and lean but don't have the experience practicing what you're preaching, you need to show them examples of other organizations that had successful transformations. Focus on tangible results, e.g., shorter cycles, better communication, etc. Motivate by leading the change yourself!

3. Motivate with Carrots

Motivating people with the right rewards will really get your team moving in the right direction. e.g., referring people get additional benefits if they fully commit themselves to this new way of working (while changes are still ongoing). 

4. Motivate with a Sense of Purpose

Employees need to feel that they are working towards something larger. They need to feel like they are part of a team that is working together towards a common goal. When employees feel this way, they are more likely to be engaged and productive. Help them see how their individual work contributes to the company's overall goals and objectives. 

5. Motivate Them with Social Recognition

Employees need to feel that they are working towards something larger. They need to feel like they are part of a team that is working together towards a common goal. When employees feel this way, they are more likely to be engaged and productive. Help them see how their individual work contributes to the company's overall goals and objectives. 

6. Motivate by Communicating Effectively

Communication is key to managing change. When employees feel like their voices aren't heard or there's no clear direction, they become demotivated and lose motivation for the task at hand - which can lead them down an unhappy path towards termination! Make sure you keep everyone in-the loop by using different types of communication like email updates/receipts; internal social media posts (e.g., on company website); presentations given throughout organization about new policies/procedures upcoming changes etc.; newsletters sent out periodically with timely information regarding developments within business--whatever works best based upon preferences but make certain these are read regularly if not daily so that any issues addressed quickly.

7. Motivate with Clear Feedback

Honest and regular feedback is essential to help employees see how they are progressing with the digital transformation process. Make sure that this is given constructively with actionable recommendations that can help them improve their performance.

Digitalization

Takeaways

So, there are a few tips on how to motivate during the process of digital transformation! Motivating your employees can be difficult, but it is necessary not to hinder the success of your digital transformation. What do you think about these tips? Are there any others that you would add? Let us know in the comments below.

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