Money Isn’t The Only Motivator

Remember in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark Griswold plans on using his Christmas bonus for a family pool but isnt able to when his company cancels the Christmas Bonus? With the economic termoil over the last few years, organizations have pulled away from offering financial incentives to their employees as a reward for achievements. Is that reward important to a company’s success? Will an organization see less productivity when the Christmas Bonus Check is actually a certificate for the “Jelly of the Month” club?

New research has surfaced further emphasizing the concept that while money is certainly a motivation for employees, personal recognition can boost employee’s morale and performance.

One-on-One
Having organizational church leaders take time to meet one-on-one with top performers shows them their contribution to the company – even with financial incentives on the decline – is valued.

Special Projects
Other forms of non-monetary recognition have been shown to motivate employees just as much, if not more, than a bonus on a paycheck. Enlisting and collaborating with employees for special projects gives them confidence that the company’s future is bright. Take care not to use this as a way to get employees to do more grunt work when times are tight; allow them to be involved with everything from the creation to the execution of unique projects.

Simple Praise
When we live in a culture where money matters, it’s surprising to hear that a simple act of praise or gratitude motivates when financial incentives don’t. Especially in organizations where faith is put first, sometimes it doesn’t matter how much money you can pay someone. Thanking them and encouraging them in their calling reaches beyond the wallet and into their spirit.