Motivating Employees

6. Building Up New Skills

You can help people progress from being beginners in a role to the point where they enjoy real competence and take full responsibility.

The process involves several stages.

6.1 When people do not know where to start, they need clear, confident instruction.

• New employees, in particular, will need to be told what to do, and how to do it.
• This also applies when existing employees are asked to take on new tasks.

6.2 Once the basics are in place, coaching helps the employee build up skills and develop a feel for the job.

• Teach the more advanced skills as soon as the individual is ready to learn them.

6.3 As the employee becomes more involved in the task, the manager's role is to support, rather than give information.

• Continued encouragement helps build the confidence of even experienced people.
• Stop offering advice at this stage.

6.4 Once full competence is achieved, the trust placed in the employee by management is a major motivational force.

• Skilled employees may enjoy accepting devolved responsibilities, but you must still be there if problems need to be discussed.
• Give generous recognition for good work.

6.5 Review your own skills.

• You may need to develop your ability to coach and motivate people.