Most small business owners are very focused on motivating their employees to achieve high performance levels. But is it really possible to motivate employees? In this article, I will highlight the keys to motivating employees that are well know to successful business owners, but seem to be hidden from most, such as those who complain, "You just can’t get good people these days." My response to them is that they are looking in the wrong direction for the cause of the problem.

While the concept of motivating employees may be problematic, it is certainly possible to demotivate employees. Many business owners actually create demotivation by creating a work environment that kills motivation instead of enhancing it.

These days, many of the factors that were used for motivation in the past are no longer effective, if they ever were. Employees are not simply motivated by money and employment conditions. Neither are they motivated by overbearing and demanding bosses. They are far more motivated by finding work that provides meaning and fulfilment in their lives.

To achieve business success and motivated employees, you must create a culture that encourages and enhances people’s lives as they work. You must lead and manage your employees proactively, through all aspects of the employee relationship. This starts with selecting the right people in the first place.

When your people support your cause and become passionate about it, there is no need for external motivation. Their level of support increases in direct proportion to the extent to which your inspirational business values extend into the vision and mission of the organisation. People find meaning from their work by having something to stand for. Think of the way charities recruit volunteers to work for no pay.

You will only get employees to act like volunteers when they share the same values that are at the foundation of the company’s vision and if they buy into the mission statement and make it their own cause. You only get real commitment and develop the behaviour you want from employees when they are driven by their own motivation to fulfil the company mission. You won’t get that if they are only there for the money. You need to define the selection criteria for your people to take into account, not only their technical ability to do the job, but also their values and vision. Actively promoting your vision, mission and values and living by them, will tend to attract the right people to you.

Successful companies also employ proactive strategies to ensure they not only attract, but also retain and develop their people throughout their time with the organization. Motivated people respond positively if they feel cared for and valued. Even volunteers will lose their passion for the cause if they are made to feel like they don’t matter. People want to know that their contribution counts and that their efforts are important. If the leadership does not pay attention to the people and does not give feedback to make people feel valued, the result will be low morale and unmotivated employees.

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