Employee motivation can have a major impact on business success, but keeping team members motivated isn’t always easy. It’s not hard to see why — every employee responds to different motivators, and investing in the wrong ones can drain your company’s budget without producing any tangible results.
Employee preferences also change over time. That means what engages your workforce now might not be the same a year or more down the road. It’s more important than ever for employers to adapt, especially after research from Gallup found employee engagement fell to 31% in the United States in 2024.
So how can your organization stay on top of employee motivation and engage team members in a way that empowers them to be your organization’s biggest advocates? It’s easier than you might think.
Let Achievers help you understand what drives motivation, the types of incentives that matter most to today’s workers, and how to stay connected to employee sentiment every step of the way.
Employee motivation is the level of commitment, drive, and creativity that your team brings with them to work every day. It has a major impact on almost every part of your company, influencing everything from overall team performance and morale to productivity and the quality of work.
Motivated employees do everything they can to get the job done, serving as examples for the rest of the company. Without motivated employees, organizations run the risk of losing out on their top talent and missing key business goals.
The good news is employee motivation is tangible and can be nurtured. Beyond the obvious incentives, like raises and promotions, organizations can look to tailor rewards as a way to celebrate their employees and reward the behaviors that drive business success. These incentives can range from work flexibility and professional development to meaningful recognition.
There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. These terms describe what pushes employees to put in the effort and make things happen.
Intrinsic motivation comes from internal emotions like happiness, pride, or satisfaction, driving engagement and creativity. Extrinsic motivation is fueled by external rewards or consequences, helping achieve short-term goals and maintain accountability. Understanding the difference between them is key to improving employee motivation and creating a workplace where everyone feels energized and inspired.
Measuring employee motivation is key to understanding where your organization stands and how to improve. By gathering honest feedback through various tools, you can identify areas for growth and take meaningful action.
While employee feedback is a valuable tool that can help measure employee motivation, it’s not the only solution. Here are five ways companies can improve employee motivation starting today:
Employee engagement and motivation go hand in hand. When employees are engaged, they’re genuinely excited about their work and proud to be part of your organization. To boost engagement, it’s important to understand what truly drives it. That’s where surveys and real-time feedback platforms can help give you a clear picture of how your team feels and where to focus your efforts.
One of the best ways to strengthen engagement is through meaningful recognition. In fact, employees who receive at least monthly meaningful recognition from their managers report 3x more trust in their managers and view them as 2.5x more effective. Combine recognition with initiatives that support employee wellness, and you’ll create a workplace where motivation and engagement thrive.
Employee recognition includes all the ways your team members are thanked and rewarded for their work. It’s a key driver of employee motivation — after all, if employees aren’t both told they’re appreciated and shown it in tangible ways, why should they continue to give their all on a daily basis? That means any effective recognition program should include both social and monetary components.
To start building a culture of recognition at your company, choose an employee recognition software with a platform that’s easy to use, lets all team members say thank you in fun, engaging ways, and includes a points-based rewards system backed by an incredible catalog.
While the typical employee incentives — like retirement benefits and health insurance — are still top of mind, it takes more than that to motivate many employees today. But don’t worry — offering perks that excite employees doesn’t have to break the bank.
The most impactful incentives can range from professional development opportunities to flexible work arrangements and wellness benefits like gym memberships or mental health support. Tailoring incentives to what your team genuinely cares about and aligning them with company values shows them their needs and interests matter.
Organizational culture is the combination of values, expectations, and practices that guide what your team does each day. If your company culture makes employees feel like they belong, it’s much easier for them to become invested in the success of your business.
For many employees, culture is one of the primary reasons they stay at their current jobs. When companies are transparent, authentic, positive, and connect employee work to a purpose, it creates a deeper sense of belonging — one that encourages teamwork and collaboration toward company goals.
When employees feel empowered, they’re confident that their manager and the organization have their back and will provide the support and resources they need to succeed. Empowering employees starts with getting direct input from them on what they need to thrive and what’s standing in their way.
To offer that type of support, organizations may have to look at retraining managers who tend to micromanage instead of coach, boosting talent development opportunities, or adjusting work-life balance so team members have the time and energy to truly excel.
Motivated employees aren’t just putting in more effort — they’re delivering stronger business results. When employees feel valued, recognized, and truly connected to their work, engagement, productivity, and commitment skyrocket.
Achievers empowers businesses to unlock this motivation through regular recognition, seamless integrations, and real-time insights. Here’s how we help fuel business success:
When employees feel motivated, they don’t just work harder — they work smarter, more creatively, and more collaboratively.
At Achievers, we believe that motivation is the key to unlocking the full potential of your team. By integrating recognition into daily workflows, offering personalized rewards, and offering real-time insights, you can nurture motivation and create a company culture where employees feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
It’s not just about improving engagement or boosting productivity — it’s about building lasting connections that fuel long-term success. Let Achievers help you harness motivation and make it a driving force for your business.
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Motivation drives employees to do their best work, stay engaged, and contribute to company success. When employees feel motivated, they’re more productive, creative, and committed. Low motivation can lead to disengagement, lower performance, and higher turnover — so keeping motivation high is key to a great workplace.
According to Indeed insights, employee motivation is shaped by factors like career growth opportunities, recognition, and a sense of purpose. Fair compensation, job security, and positive workplace relationships also matter. When employees feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to be engaged, productive, and stay committed to their roles.
Motivation drives employees to act, while engagement is their emotional commitment to their work and the company. Motivated employees put in effort, but engaged employees go a step further — they care deeply about their role, feel connected to the company’s mission, and are more likely to stay long-term.
Inspiring employees starts with creating a culture of trust, recognition, and support. Regular appreciation, opportunities for growth, and clear communication help employees feel valued and motivated. Offering meaningful work, encouraging collaboration, and listening to employee feedback also go a long way in keeping motivation high.
A strong workplace culture, supportive leadership, and meaningful recognition have the biggest impact on motivation. Employees are most motivated when they feel valued, have growth opportunities, and see how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Regular feedback, fair compensation, and a good work-life balance also play an essential role.
Written by
Rebecca Mattina
Discover how easy recognition can be with Achievers
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