Team Motivation
From AgileBok.org
In any Agile Software Environment, Team Motivation plays a very important role. If you want a highly motivated Agile team who don't take time off work, don't keep looking for other jobs, and make a positive contribution to your business then there are few steps you need to take with each member of your team.
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Three Steps to Agile Team Motivation
Step 1 - Spend some quality time
We do not say "quantity time" rather we say "quality time." One or two minutes of quality time on a regular basis are far more productive than a one hour review every year.
In an Agile team every one needs to get to know each member of your team better.
This will help you build a positive relationship with each team member. You'll gain a much better understanding of them and how they're handling the job.
It will also give the impression that you care about the individual and show that you're there to help with problems both personal and business.
Spending quality time will encourage opinions and ideas to flow from them and allows you to explain the company's mission. It gives them a feeling of being in on things which is a huge motivator.
It will also help you build an "early warning system" of any problems both business and personal. Finally, it builds team spirit and morale.
Step 2 - Give feedback and coach
You need to regularly tell each member of your team when they're doing well and when not so well.
It will also give the impression that you care about the individual and show that you're there to help with problems both personal and business.
Spending quality time will encourage opinions and ideas to flow from them and allows you to explain the company's mission. It gives them a feeling of being in on things which is a huge motivator.
It will also help you build an "early warning system" of any problems both business and personal. Finally, it builds team spirit and morale.
Step 3 - Be a believer
The area of "Empowerment" was first introduced in the 1980's and became a bit of a management buzzword. However, it is believed that it's one of the most promising but least understood concepts in team motivation today.
Empowerment is about utilizing the knowledge, skill, experience and motivation power that's already within your people.
The majority of people in teams and organizations throughout the world are severely underutilized. Your team have probably more to offer in terms of skill, knowledge and experience.
Put this to the test right away - implement these steps, motivate your team and achieve your business goals
How to Motivate an Agile Team
Instead of ruling with an iron fist or dishing out wads of notes try these ways of motivating your staff or volunteers:
This forum nedeed shaking up and you've just done that. Great post!
Consider A Results-Only Work Environment
You may have come across the term ROWE – Results-Only Work Environment. Some forward-looking companies are switching over to this work model, which asks employees to produce a certain amount of work (“results”) rather than asking them to work for a certain amount of time (the traditional 8-4 or 9-5, five days a week, model).
An easy way to try something similar might be to tell your team that if a certain milestone is reached by Friday lunchtime, everyone can have the afternoon off. (You might be surprised how productive people can be!)
It’s easy to feel isolated as a single employee or volunteer, separated from the big picture. Employees doing fairly routine tasks may not have much understanding of the role they’re playing within the company or team as a whole. Bring everyone together once in a while (ideally with some nice food or drink!) to share progress and explain how everyone’s actions are building to something greater.
Employees often feel strong fulfillment from realizing that they're actually making a difference. This realization often requires clear communication about organizational goals, employee progress toward those goals and celebration when the goals are met.
Talk To Your Team Members
Make time to chat with your team members. Ask them about any concerns or problems that they have, and ask what would make their life easier. Often, quite simple, cheap things can be done that will really improve people’s day to day experience of work. If realistic changes are suggested, make an effort to put these into practice: this can generate a huge amount of goodwill. If you’re accommodating towards your team, they’re much more likely to go the extra mile for you.
