You may think it’s the paycheck, profit-sharing, or the annual holiday party at Chili’s that motivates your employees, but wait! Those perks are actually long-term motivators—they don’t motivate anyone to log in to Zoom on Monday morning. So what really motivates your employees day in, day out? Turns out, an inspiring work environment will push your employees to higher heights. So how can you build this magical setting?

Set goals

Nothing is more motivating than progress, so work with your employees on a list of goals for the company, department, and team. (Be sure the goals are reasonable, or they’ll be demotivating!) Post a goal board for everyone to see, tracking progress toward completion. Just remember, a goal without a timeline is a wish, and it’s not very productive to sit around making wishes unless you’ve got a genie bottled up somewhere. So include timelines that communicate your expectations, then motivate employees to stick with them.

Show impact

Everyone wants to feel like a valued contributor, to know their workweek is not sucked into the great corporate void, so make sure every employee knows how their particular work contributes to the company’s bottom line. Show them the results of the work, such as how Jack’s data reporting steers new product innovation, how Susie’s attention to that account impacts the company’s revenue, and so on. What’s more motivating than making a difference?

Empower decisions

Trust your employees to make smart decisions that get the job done right. Instead of dictating how to meet the goal, allow employees some creativity and flexibility to get from A to B. Employees will feel proud, accomplished, and confident when they’re able to use their skills and abilities in a way they find enjoyable. The freedom and ownership of selecting their own road map can inspire fresh ideas and the passion to exceed expectations.

Recognize successes

Employees like to make a difference and stretch their creative wings, but above all else, they like to feel appreciated. Lack of appreciation is a leading reason employees seek other opportunities, so don’t let your top talent get away. You don’t have to throw a gala for every goal met, but a handwritten thank-you note or a shout-out at the staff meeting shows you care and doesn’t require two weeks of planning.

In conclusion

What’s the best thing about all these motivators? They’re free! They make employees feel amazing! And they don’t require a ton of time to implement, so why not get started building a more motivating, more productive work environment today?