How to Motivate Co-Workers to Be Positive

Smiling is important because it infects others at work.

By making efforts to motivate co-workers to be positive, you will foster a better working environment for all. For instance, taking actions such as hanging inspirational quotes in common work areas can help raise employee morale. Look for ways to use your positive attitude to improve the outlook of co-workers.

Instructions

Be a Positive Example

1. Conduct your business day with a smile and serve as a positive example for co-workers. Your positive outlook at work is contagious.

2. Ask other people for their opinions and ideas. Co-workers want to give suggestions about projects you're working on because they get to talk and feel that they are valued contributors.

3. Confront instances of negativity in a positive and supportive manner. Share comments with others to help them get past the negativity. Say, "You know, I had the same thing happen to me once and here is what I did to get the problem resolved...."

4. Find at least one chance daily when you're walking around the office to ask a person a question about his job. People like to talk about their work, and your expression of interest will make them feel valued. This is particularly true when you acknowledge someone who isn't in your circle of co-worker friends.

Find What Motivates Others

1. Hold a brainstorming session with your coworkers on a lunch break. Discuss ideas for special projects that will get employees more involved in their department or position.

2. Get a project idea approved by your manager. Ask the manager to offer an incentive for employees who participate in the project.

3. Invite your co-workers to participate in your special project. Offer them a reward or incentive if approved by the manager.

4. Include as many people as you can in special projects. With your positive attitude catching on, others will want to join.

5. Make yourself the person co-workers want to be around in the office. Talk about what is going right in the office, give people compliments when appropriate, recommend hard workers for recognition to the manager and invite people to suggest new projects and count on your support. People feel motivated by joining groups if they believe change is possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring instances of harassment, whether they happen to you or to someone else, to the attention of the appropriate manager or HR professional.

• Don't give up on your positive attitude. If people around you are still negative, at least you will know you tried to help them adopt a positive outlook at work.

• Don't use physical contact to motivate people. You could get into trouble for harassment or some other issue when you make physical contact with a co-worker, even if it's only tapping him on the arm or gripping his shoulder.

References

• "Human Resource Management," 10th ed.; Gary Dessler; 2005
• Inc. magazine; "7 Tips for Motivating Employees"
• Harvard Business Review; "One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees?"; Frederick Herzberg