Are you a leader who motivates employees?  The ability to motivate employees is one of the greatest skills a boss, leader or entrepreneur can possess.

What would it take for you to create a hard working, passionate team that is as committed to growing and improving the company as you are?

Here are five quick tips you can bring into the New Year to help you be the kind of leader who motivates employees in 2013!

1. a. Be generous with praise and recognition. It is one of the easiest things to give and believe it or not, almost everyone wants it. Plus, praise from the big boss goes a lot farther than you might think. Praise every improvement that you see your staff make. Once you’re comfortable giving praise one-on-one to an employee, try praising them in front of other people (as long as they are not embarrassed by public praise).

b. Take an employee to lunch for finishing a big project successfully. It’s an easy way to remind them that you notice and appreciate their work.

c. Have company events. Share the rewards—and the breakdowns. When your organization does well, celebrate and let everyone know that you’re thankful for their hard work. If there are disappointments, your team also deserves to know where the organization stands. Be transparent and honest. Then move on and allow employees to improve.

2. Get rid of extra managers and let people do their jobs. Removing the project lead or supervisor and empowering your staff to work together as a team rather then everyone reporting to one individual can do miracles. If you really think about it, what’s worse than letting your supervisor down? Letting your team down! Allowing people to work together as a team, on an equal level with their co-workers, will often produce better projects faster. People will come in early, stay late, and devote more of their energy to solving problems. Doing this one thing can really help you be the kind of leader who motivates employees!

3. Never criticize staff. Employees do not want to hear that they did something wrong. This will only de-motivate staff. Coach and mentor staff to succeed. If they win, you win as a manager. Ask, “Was that the best way to approach the situation? Why not? Do you have any ideas on what you could have done differently?” Then you’re having a conversation and talking through solutions, not blaming them.

4. Make your ideas theirs. People hate being told what to do. Instead of telling people what you want done; ask them in a way that will make them feel like they came up with the idea. “I’d like you to do it this way” turns into “Do you think it’s a good idea if we do it this way?”

5. Make everyone a leader. Highlight your top performers’ strengths and let them know that because of their excellent work, you want them to be the example for others. You’ll set the bar high and they’ll be motivated to live up to their reputation as a leader. Notice the areas that each employee can step up as a leader. Even the people who you might think won’t ever step up, will step up if you believe in them.

I would love to hear your comments.