When team members are engaged and actively participate in the workplace, they demonstrate greater satisfaction in their work, and therefore, increased morale. Organizations benefit because they implement improvements suggested by team members closest to the customers/clients. Being able to participate and contribute improvements results in increased cooperation among team members and departments which improves teamwork and efficiencies and reduces turnover and operating costs. Siloed operations are minimized if not eliminated.

Engaging and motivating team members provide opportunities for skill development when they are entrusted to develop and implement projects/initiatives they recommend. This talent development increases their value and assists in succession planning.

This document features 19 pages of actions supervisors/managers may take to engage and motivate team members regarding the following:

•  Provide Necessary Resources to Team Members: Numerous solutions are presented for providing the resources necessary for team success.

•  Grant the Authority Team Members Need to be Accountable: Explore all of the opportunities for either granting team members the authority they need to be successful, or advocate on their behalf as needed to ensure success.

•  Have Team Members Facilitate Meetings: Explore the solutions provided for facilitating greater team member involvement in team meetings.

•  Recognize Team Member Achievements and Give Them Credit: Utilize some of the solutions provided for giving credit where credit is due. Earn not only the respect of team members, but also their loyalty.

•  Keep Team Members Informed: Implement some of these solutions to make team members feel more valued and respected. They will make better decisions and offer higher quality suggestions and recommendations for improvement.

•  Facilitate Team Member Input: Utilize these solutions to tap more of the potential each team member brings. Help every employee to contribute more meaningful work.

•  Involve Team Members in Setting Their Own Goals: Encourage ownership and commitment by having team members develop their own goals in line with the organization's goals. Instead of telling them what to do, give them a say in their own destiny.