Genuinely listen to your subordinates
Many employees are frustrated because they feel neither management nor their boss listens to them. But it is frequently regular employees who are in the trenches, dealing directly with clients, business partners and suppliers, and they often have a lot of constructive ideas and suggestions for improvement. You should listen to your employees and actively encourage them to speak up. However, you cannot just pretend to be listening: you must stop whatever else you are doing and pay proper attention. You should ask supplementary questions, reformulate what was said in your own words and react to the comments.
Show subordinates you appreciate their efforts
According to Forbes, one of the simplest and at the same time most effective ways of improving people's engagement is to show that you respect them. Managers sometimes forget employees are individual human beings who need encouragement, appreciation and assurance. You should therefore let employees know you do not take their efforts and knowledge for granted; make it clear you do not regard them merely as a generic workforce but do appreciate their individual skills.
Be transparent and provide a wider picture
Employees will be more motivated if they understand the broader context of their work. No one wants to work in their own little bubble without knowing what their work is actually good for and what larger goal they are helping to achieve. Provide employees with the bigger picture. Share with them the results and strategies of the company as a whole, the goals and aims of the entire team and explain why you need them to do the work you are asking them to do. Team members will then feel an integral part of the group and be much more motivated to add to the overall success of the team or company.
-mm-