Team motivation is not just a workplace perk. It plays a critical role in productivity, customer service, employee retention, and innovation. In a recent Maine SBDC webinar, Business Advisor Christina Dodge focused on how small business owners can build a motivated and accountable team with limited time and resources.
In this blog, you will find strategies shared during the session to help you motivate your team and build a healthier workplace culture.
Know Your Team and What Drives Them
Understanding your team starts with recognizing their personalities, workstyles, and strengths. Some are driven by external rewards, others by purpose, learning, or independence. Knowing the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation helps business owners tailor their approach.
For small teams, this can be easier to manage, and the payoff is often substantial. Personalized motivation leads to stronger engagement and better performance.
Communication, Trust, and Empowerment
Effective communication is essential. Regular check-ins should be part of your routine, whether your staff is in person or remote. They do not need to be long, but they should be consistent and encourage real dialogue. Using tools like Teams or Slack can support more frequent collaboration.
Trust grows from consistency and transparency. Employees need to understand your goals and the challenges the business is facing. Being honest, treating people fairly, and sharing both successes and setbacks helps build trust. It also gives employees a clear sense of where they fit into the bigger picture.
Empowering employees means giving them ownership over their work and encouraging problem solving. Micromanagement can damage trust. When employees feel trusted, they are more likely to step up and succeed.
Recognize, Celebrate, and Build a Positive Culture
Recognition is a powerful motivator. Whether public or private, what matters is that it feels meaningful to the employee. A handwritten thank-you note, a shoutout at a staff meeting, or a feature on social media can go a long way.
A positive team culture encourages collaboration over competition. Team building, brainstorming, and casual check-ins help people connect, even when schedules differ. Icebreakers that prompt staff to share stories or interests help strengthen relationships.
Providing growth opportunities is another important part of motivation. Training, certifications, and even small steps toward career advancement let employees know you are invested in their future, not just the task at hand.
Address Issues Early and Lead with Empathy
Feedback should be timely, specific, and actionable. Delaying feedback can allow issues to grow. Constructive feedback should be balanced with recognition of what the employee is doing well. When issues are discussed with fairness and clarity, employees are more likely to improve and stay engaged.
Conflict is often one of the hardest areas for small business owners. Time is limited, and staffing challenges may make it tempting to let small issues slide. But unresolved conflict can create tension across the team. A respectful, open environment for feedback gives everyone a voice and helps prevent bigger problems.
Empathy also plays an important role. Being approachable and listening actively shows that you value your team. Personal concerns may arise that affect someone’s workday. For example, if an employee is dealing with the loss of a pet or family member, offering flexibility with scheduling or giving them space to regroup can show genuine support. Healthy boundaries matter, but support during tough times can leave a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
Your team looks to you for cues on how to behave and what matters. If you demonstrate accountability, consistency, and a strong work ethic, your employees are more likely to follow that example. Motivation and management are essential to building a strong team.
To watch the full webinar, visit our YouTube channel. If you are interested in applying these strategies in your own business, the Maine SBDC offers no-cost advising to help you take the next step. Learn more at www.mainesbdc.org.