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As an Expert Personality Profiler with over 20 years of experience training company owners, I can tell you that different personalities are motivated by different things. What works for one will not work for others. You must understand the personality of your employee to know what is important to them! Some want public "attaboys", while others just want to know you appreciate their work or that they have job security. There are online assessments available on my website. Please check them out!

To motivate others, you have to be motivated FIRST. I download Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn podcasts and listen to them in my "automobile university." Then I show up and BAM, I am already there. I take the time to listen to what my team needs, and to deliver 110% of that.

A great way to keep employees motivated and out of a slump is to have a day or one day a week where you go outdoors, to a coffee shop, park or something just to get away from the office but still get work done. Now you can go just about anywhere and hold a meeting or do work. Everyone needs a break from the office and sometimes the best ideas flow when you take a break to breathe and enjoy the scenery. Employees not only benefit from this but so do you as the owner...

Seriously. PrintResource.com, a printing company I started 17 years ago continues today with the exact same high-level principles and enthusiasm that I launched it with. I performed outrageous customer service to the highest degree - motivating my team (and ultimately my successors) by having a fantastic work ethic and unbridled passion. My actions - day-in, day-out for many years - became the template for the 'way' we did business.

A good leader knows how to interact with people on a “professional” as well as a “personal” level. Every employee welcomes recognition and praise for their hard work; it also boosts their morale and encourages them to continue to do a good job. To be an effective leader, you should acknowledge the accomplishments of your team both individually and as a group. Statistics show that workers who feel appreciated are more productive and less likely to leave their jobs.

Leading from the back is the way to motivate. Of Course, you can give rewards but that doesn't last and is exhausting if you are always trying to be the "Rah Rah" section. When you Lead from the back, your employee stays motivated because the passion is coming from their own source. They feel ownership on the task as if the idea comes from them as well as you. It's facilitating the outcome. Recognition is also a plus.

The best motivation for anyone - including employees - is to hear or see our name as often and in as many places as possible. Our name is the most potent sound we can hear and see. If you want to motivate someone put their name up in lights and/or sing it from the rooftops!

The biggest motivator for most employees is to be treated like partners in your business. Have regular meetings, listen to their opinion and more importantly share information with them.

Nothing is more powerful than sharing information with employees and involving them in the decision making process.

If you can, set aside a certain amount of earnings in the profit sharing pool. It may only be 10% of your earnings shared among all your employees. Even this can mean a lot to them.

Sometimes the best method for motivating employees is the most simple. Allow them to do what they were hired to do. Often as leaders we take too much ownership away from our staff out of fear they cannot do the job as well as we can. Not only does this de-motivate staff, it creates more work for you! Empower them. Ask for their input. Give them expectations about the results that need to be met and get out of their way. Follow up for questions and to keep accountability in check.

The best way to motivate employees is to give them reasons to believe their company is vital to the interests of its customers, partners, shareholders, and employees. Everyone wants to be involved in something that matters -- including where they work. Demonstrate how your company matters, and you will create employees who take pride in your company. I once created a video that showed how our company's software was a part of everyday life. It was created in 2002. It's still being used today!