Best practices in creating meaning for more motivation - incl. checklist

Motivated employees create greater added value - that's obvious so far. But opinions differ on how to motivate them. Some books say that the right benefits are crucial. Others say that it has to do with leadership quality. Neither is completely wrong - because one very important thing for motivated employees is inspiration - or, as a result, a sense of purpose.

Those who can inspire employees create a greater sense of purpose. These employees have internalized the mission and know what the common goal is as an organization. They are proud of the company's products and services and understand that their work is important to the company's success and impact on society. There are many ways in which companies can inspire their employees - we have already picked out three best practices:

The diversity tree at Hilti AG

In a workshop, Hilti apprentices built a diversity tree made of chrome steel. This tree was set up in the entrance area, where employees continuously hung up colored post-its on which they wrote how they see diversity and what it means to them. One employee wrote, for example, that you start to think differently when you listen to someone with a different attitude. Or that the coming together of different skills enriches everyday working life. Or: The world is not just made up of people like me. This promoted mutual understanding and inspired employees to try out new things. 

See the impact of Abbvie's work

At the pharmaceutical company Abbvie, every employee is encouraged to spend a day with a patient or a patient organization. The aim is for them to understand the daily problems of a patient - and to see the positive impact of their work. Employees who completed this day reported very personal and emotional moments that motivated them all the more for their work.

The Kontiki journey from the customer's perspective

For Kontiki Reisen, it is not only important to offer their customers an unforgettable trip. They also want their employees to develop a passion for northern destinations. That's why they offer their employees a study trip to the north every year and a half. This allows employees to experience a week-long trip and have the same experience as their customers. This not only helps to ensure quality, but also creates new innovations through employee feedback.

Five quick questions as a checklist:

The three best practices show how employees can be motivated through inspiration. It is worth answering the following questions when implementing inspirational measures:

• Does our organization have clear values and goals?
• How are the corporate values, mission, vision and goals developed and shared with employees?
• Do the employees believe in it?
• Do the values, mission, vision and goals match the workplace culture?
• How are these values practiced by employees and managers on a day-to-day basis?