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Educational Service Unit No. 11
Managing a team can be a challenging task, and it becomes even more difficult when one of your team members is slacking off. As a manager, the best motivational speakers in the world say your best bet at succeeding is to encourage a team member if they seem off and ensure that your team is productive and performing at their best.
Steve Gilliland is a motivational speaker whose zest and resilience are heavily imbued in his words, written or spoken. Check out this blog post explaining how even sharing autonomy with a team can help a manager build a determined and ambitious workforce, which for an organization is like a secret weapon.
No matter how unique a product or service is, and no matter how well-positioned in the market, the people who are devoted to its continued success are what keep it successful.
Someone on your team might be getting the job done but not thinking to kick it up a notch and flexing their abilities. According to famous motivational speakers, before you take any action, it’s essential to identify the root cause of the problem. Is the team member slacking off because they’re unhappy with their job? Are they feeling overworked and burnt out? Or are they struggling with personal issues that are affecting their work performance? By understanding the underlying reasons behind the problem, you can address it more effectively.
Sometimes, team members may be slacking off or underperforming due to reasons beyond their control. For instance, they may be dealing with personal issues, health problems, or other challenges that are affecting their work performance.
As a manager, it’s essential to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they have a valid reason for their behavior. This means taking the time to listen to their concerns, understanding their situation, and offering support and guidance to help them overcome any challenges they may be facing.
Giving people the benefit of the doubt also means refraining from jumping to conclusions or making assumptions about their behavior. Instead, approach the situation with an open mind and a willingness to listen and understand, as the top business speakers advise.
Effective communication is key to managing a team. It’s essential to communicate clearly and honestly with the slacking team member. Explain to them how their lack of productivity is affecting the team’s performance and the overall goals of the organization. Also, make sure to listen to their perspective and find out if there are any issues you can help them with.
Respect is an essential element when building a healthy and productive work environment. When you respect your team members, you show that you value their contributions, and you create a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Respect also means treating your team members fairly and impartially. This includes providing equal opportunities for professional growth and development and recognizing their achievements and contributions to the team’s success.
One of the main reasons why team members may become complacent instead of hungry for growth is because they don’t know what’s expected of them. As a manager, it’s essential to set clear expectations and goals for each team member. Ensure that they understand what their role is, what their responsibilities are, and what the goals are that they can achieve. This will provide them with a clear sense of direction and help them stay motivated.
When managers micromanage, they are essentially taking away control and autonomy from their team members, which can be demotivating and frustrating. Motivational and inspirational speakers have found that when the drive comes from within, people are far more likely to get ahead.
Employees who are micromanaged may feel that their work is not valued or that their contributions are not important. This can lead to a decrease in motivation and a lack of ambition, as they may feel that their efforts will not be recognized or rewarded. When employees are not given the freedom to explore new ideas or approaches, they may become stuck in old ways of thinking and be less likely to take risks or try new things.
Employees may feel that they are constantly being watched or scrutinized, leading to a lack of trust in their manager and a reluctance to take the initiative or make decisions.
In contrast, managers who trust their employees and provide them with autonomy and support can foster a culture of ambition and innovation. By giving employees the freedom to take ownership of their work, managers can empower them to develop new skills and take on new challenges, which can lead to greater ambition and motivation.
You don’t have to be an inspirational speaker to encourage a team member. Sometimes people may need extra support to perform at their best. Offer constructive feedback on their performance, recognize their achievements, and provide them with the necessary resources and training to improve their skills. Also, encourage them to take breaks and manage their workload effectively to avoid burnout.
Active listening is a powerful communication skill that involves not only hearing what someone is saying but also fully understanding their message, including their thoughts and feelings. As an expert on active listening, it’s crucial to mention that it’s a fundamental skill for anyone who wants to build better relationships, improve communication, and become a more effective leader.
At its core, active listening requires the listener to be fully present and engaged in the conversation. It means giving the speaker undivided attention, listening without judgment or interruption, and making an effort to understand their perspective.
Here are some key aspects of active listening:
Active listening requires the listener to focus on the speaker’s words and nonverbal cues. Avoid distractions and demonstrate interest by maintaining eye contact, nodding, or asking relevant questions. Interrupting the speaker can be disrespectful and may cause them to lose their train of thought. Wait for them to finish speaking before responding.
Reflecting involves paraphrasing what the speaker has said to show that you have understood their message correctly. This technique can help to clarify misunderstandings and build rapport.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and sometimes it takes a moment to separate fact from preconceived notions. Show empathy by acknowledging the speaker’s emotions and validating their perspective. Even professional speakers know that understanding who they’re addressing is key, and when encouraging a team member, generic advice won’t cut it.
Active listening requires the listener to avoid making judgments or assumptions about the speaker. Instead, approach the conversation with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
By practicing active listening, you can improve your communication skills, build stronger relationships, and become a more effective leader. Active listening is a skill that takes time and effort to develop, but the rewards are well worth it.
Feeling judged can have a significant impact on a person’s ability. When someone feels they are being judged, they may become defensive or guarded and may be less likely to share their true thoughts and feelings.
This is because feeling judged can create a sense of fear or shame that makes it difficult to be vulnerable and honest. Business motivational speakers say they may worry that if they share their true thoughts and feelings, they will be criticized, rejected, or judged by others. As a result, they may hold back or say what they think others want to hear instead of sharing their true opinions.
If someone feels they are being judged, they may question the motives of the person or group judging them and may become less willing to share information or collaborate with others. The best motivational speakers say that in a work context, feeling judged can hurt team dynamics and productivity. If team members feel their ideas or contributions are being judged, they may become less engaged and less willing to participate in discussions or share their insights.
To foster a culture of honesty and openness, it’s essential to create an environment where people feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or retribution. This means fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, where everyone’s ideas and contributions are valued and respected. By creating a safe and supportive environment, you can encourage your team members to be honest and open, leading to more productive discussions, better collaboration, and stronger relationships.
Ready to inspire your team and achieve success in both your personal and professional life? With tremendous experience as a corporate motivational speaker, Hall of Fame member Steve Gilliland has inspired millions of people worldwide with his engaging, authentic style and powerful messages.
Check out his Motivation Bites and online bookstore to learn more about his keynote speeches, workshops, and other services, and take the first step toward achieving your goals. He’s not just a force of positivity; he’s also a funny motivational speaker. So book Steve as a funny speaker for your next conference or event.
“I heard Steve speak at a national convention and immediately knew he would be perfect for our 100th Annual Convention. Our members are still raving about him. Truly a remarkable speaker!” – Myron Rau, President, South Dakota Auto Dealers Association
