, bringing the year’s total to more than 133,000. On top of that, the great resignation continues to lead employees to exit toxic workplaces characterized by uncaring leaders and poor advancement opportunities. Rising inflation has increased prices at supermarkets and gas stations. Combined with an increasingly polarizing political landscape and ongoing, troubling global events, you have the perfect motivation-draining cocktail.
If your team is showing signs of lost motivation, there are helpful steps you can take to help them rediscover it. But it’s important that you start with an accurate assessment of what is actually happening. First, understand that motivate isn’t a verb. It’s a choice. It’s not something you can do to or for others.
Allowing people to show their emotions legitimizes and honors their experience. Even if people express emotions you don’t share, listen with empathy and resist saying anything that risks minimizing what they’re expressing.Having to make hard decisions is part of your job. When people express understandable disappointment or resentment to budget cuts, layoffs, or other difficult news, you have to take it graciously.
Check in regularly and ask how they’re doing and if there’s anything you can do to be supportive. Don’t be surprised if they’re cold or guarded at first — that’s to be expected. Be persistent and let them know you’re available to talk, listen, and share your perspective if and when they would like.