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Expert spotlight: Motivate your staff to pick up the pace

Nurse Leader Weekly, July 21, 2008

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This week, give your staff members an energy boost with expert advice from Shelley Cohen, RN, BSN, CEN.

Q: Some of my staff members seem lethargic lately. Any advice on how I can boost staff motivation?

A: As the manager, you must realize that even though most employees possess great abilities, they may not work up to them. Here are some quick tips to increase work output:

• Most people enjoy hearing they perform a task well. So expressing confidence in your employee's ability to measure up to his or her job can sometimes go a long way.
• Find the reasons why an employee is not doing his or her job well and ask what is preventing him or her from mastering the job. Make them aware that their job is essential and that good performance could lead to more challenging job opportunities.
• Check to see whether working conditions are adequate for various job assignments. When improvements are needed, make them quickly.
• For staff members who do not work well under pressure, review their job fundamentals to build up their self-confidence. Stress the importance of taking the time to do the job accurately and in proper sequence.

Editor's note: Do you have a question for our experts? Email your queries to editor kmucci@hcpro.com and see your name in print next week! In the meantime, head over to our Web site and view a growing collection of advice from our experts.

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