"Praising Silence from Superiors": Deadly Blunders of managers
Struggling Motivation Among German Employees: Key Factors Identified
In recent years, there has been a shift in what is expected of good work, with flexibility and the ability to work from home being key. However, in Germany, studies show that motivation levels among employees are alarmingly low. The Gallup Engagement Study and EY-related research have identified several key factors contributing to this issue.
1. Lack of Recognition and Appreciation
Recognition and appreciation have emerged as critical drivers of employee engagement. Gallup's data shows that 72% of satisfied employees feel recognized and appreciated, while only 4% of dissatisfied employees share this sentiment. The absence of feeling valued significantly lowers motivation.
2. Managerial Support Deficiency
Less than a third of employees reported receiving adequate support from their managers during stressful periods. Moreover, a notable portion of frontline managers admit to doing the bare minimum, which undermines employee engagement and motivation.
3. Workload and Organizational Respect
Research among healthcare professionals, which can be extrapolated to other sectors, points to workload pressures and negative perceptions of respect and benefits as factors lowering work motivation. Negative views about leadership similarly reduce motivation levels.
4. Limited Career Growth Prospects
Frontline employees often feel that their career advancement opportunities are restricted, a perception that dampens motivation and engagement.
5. Psychosocial Factors
Rising stress, anxiety, and concerns about personal finances also contribute to a decline in overall wellbeing, which correlates with lower motivation at work.
It's important to note that in positive leadership, it's crucial for managers to make employees feel why they are doing their work (Meaning), acknowledge achievements, and provide recognition and praise. A small success, like a quick email or request, can help boost motivation and self-efficacy.
In contrast, a patriarchal management style can lead to higher sickness rates, turnover, and less team and customer satisfaction. The social relationship with the manager is a key factor in employee motivation. Expressing wishes to a superior about their leadership style can be done by stating what one likes and what one would wish for more or something else.
Our jobs can be seen as a kind of rubber or wax, meaning they can be changed and adapted to better suit our strengths and energy. By addressing these key factors, employers can create a more motivating work environment and foster higher levels of engagement among their employees.
[1] Gallup. (2021). State of the Global Workplace Report. Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com/workplace/278529/state-global-workplace-report-2021.aspx [2] EY. (2020). The Future of Work: Attracting, Retaining and Engaging Talent. Retrieved from https://www.ey.com/en_gl/services/people-advisory-services/workforce-advisory/future-of-work-attracting-retaining-and-engaging-talent [5] Statista. (2021). Emotional engagement of employees in Germany 2019-2020. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1081699/emotional-engagement-of-employees-in-germany/
- To address the issue of low motivation among German employees, employers can prioritize recognizing and appreciating their work as it significantly boosts motivation, according to the Gallup Engagement Study.
- The absence of managerial support during stressful periods is another identified factor contributing to low motivation, with less than a third of employees reporting receiving adequate support, as revealed by both the Gallup Engagement Study and EY-related research.
- Workload pressures, negative perceptions of respect, concerns about career growth prospects, and psychosocial factors like stress, anxiety, and personal finance concerns are additional factors that negatively impact employee motivation in the workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness context, as studies among healthcare professionals suggest.
- Positive leadership, which includes acknowledging achievements, providing recognition, and providing a meaningful purpose for work, can significantly improve motivation levels and reduce sickness rates, turnover, and decrease team and customer satisfaction, as demonstrated by various studies.
