Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has long defined the fundamental desires that drive every human being.

Among these are the universal cravings for importance, a sense of belonging, and value. Recognizing and harnessing these innate aspirations can yield remarkable improvements in team performance, ultimately making your role as a manager a bit easier. Employees who are intrinsically motivated are 32 percent more committed to their job.

If you find yourself managing a team that lacks motivation, resists buy-in, and struggles to maintain synergy, then you may want to focus on cultivating intrinsic motivation, which hinges on personal accomplishment and satisfaction.

While extrinsic motivators, such as financial incentives, competition, avoidance of punishment, and rewards certainly have their place, intrinsic motivation delves deeper, drawing its strength from within.

Here are some strategies to tap into the power of universal needs to intrinsically motivate and drive enhanced performance within your team:

Empower the need for control: Appeal to the universal need for autonomy. Encourage your team members to own their contribution. Micromanagement breeds dependency and stifles ownership. If you dictate both what to do and how to do it, you essentially become the owner of their tasks, and this will diminish your ability to perform as a manager. Instead, invest in developing your team's skills and capabilities so they perform independently.

This approach may seem counterintuitive to some managers who fear that reducing dependency jeopardizes their own job security. However, the opposite holds true. When you cultivate a team that can function autonomously, it frees you to focus on the bigger picture, allowing you to shine in your role. This helps your players feel more empowered and inspired.

Nurture the need for significance: Recognize the universal desire to feel important, unique, and needed. When team members perceive themselves as mere cogs in a machine, their self-esteem and motivation suffer. It's crucial to make each individual on your team acutely aware of the significance of their role within the broader context of the organization. Treating employees as expendable assets undermines their loyalty and overall performance. In turn, the company's bottom line takes a hit when employees lack loyalty, due to feeling unappreciated and insignificant.

Foster the need for belonging: Acknowledge the universal yearning to be part of a community where individuals can thrive. People seek workplaces that support their well-being, respect them, and provide a sense of acceptance. Create a work environment where team members can openly share their ideas without fearing dismissal or humiliation. Cultivate a culture of support and openness to differing opinions without the threat of retaliation. Encourage your team to engage in respectful disagreements about ideas rather than attacking individuals. Fostering a sense of belonging involves making every team member feel appreciated and valued.

Intrinsic motivation, rooted in fulfilling these universal needs, is not only more potent but also more sustainable in the long run.

Intrinsically, motivated employees are more likely to be highly engaged and more involved in their work, as well as display a greater readiness to step up and take responsibility. According to an article published in Forbes Magazine, a highly engaged team can increase profitability by 21 percent.

By implementing these principles, you can unlock the true potential of your team and elevate overall performance while fostering a workplace environment that fosters growth and success.

• Kim Welcome is the country's leading Communication Trainer/Coach/Speaker. She is the go-to for top-tier organizations looking to transform soft-skills of their client-facing and leadership teams. With 15+ years as a consultant, she also coaches individual professionals who want to strengthen their personal brand, increase visibility and advance their careers. She draws from her BA in Communication, professional background in marketing and sales, training as a voice actor and experience as a singer to help her clients to communicate skillfully, intentionally and effectively. Contact her to inquire about working with you or your team at info@influentialvoice.com 242-436-3385.

The post How to tap into universal human needs to improve team performance appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

The post How to tap into universal human needs to improve team performance appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

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