How to Motivate Coworkers When Management Won't

It sure can get boring at work.

Motivation is the driving force behind action. When you go to work in the morning, you go because you are motivated by your paycheck, your benefits, your bills, etc. But how often are these need-based motivators enough to make you actually have fun at work? While management tries to motivate with praise, bonuses, and raises, sometimes the every day burden of work needs a little pick-me-up. This is when you know it's time to motivate your coworkers.

Things You'll Need

• List of wacky holidays
• Trivia questions and answers

Instructions

1. Make work fun. There are many activities you can participate in while working that do not disrupt your daily work and don't have an adverse affect on productivity. Email trivia questions to your coworkers every hour and give away funny items from the Dollar Store as prizes. You can also play Bingo, Hangman, and other games via email.

2. Celebrate the kooky Holidays. Did you know that September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate day? If this day falls on a work day, celebrate it with your coworkers by printing out a list of Pirate terminology and passing it out to everyone. Offer prizes to whoever talks most consistently like a Pirate. You can also celebrate other Holidays throughout the year like, Cowboy Poetry week, Hug Your Cat Day, Yo-Yo day, and more!

3. Hold contests based on productivity. Decide what job responsibility you have that can be quantified and increased. Hold a competition with a prize for the person who most increases their productivity in that area during a certain period of time. The prize can be that the person with the lowest increase will have to drive the winner to their car for a week, or go pick up their lunch, etc.

4. Start a fantasy sports league and compete against each other. As long as you are a good natured bunch who can all stand a little competition and hazing, forming fantasy sports teams within a league is a great motivator. The fun trash talk, the common ground of talking about the game, and the ability to associate work with something you enjoy outside of work all make Monday morning that much easier to face.

5. Have a pot luck. Create a sign up sheet and have everyone sign up to bring something for a pot luck. Pot luck luncheons are cheap, easy, and give everyone something to talk about outside of work. Exchanging recipes and discussing favorite dishes is a fun way to spend a lunch hour.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the okay from your manager if you need to use any company time or supplies for your motivational games.

• Make sure that any hazing and competitions are done in fun and no one takes offense.