3 Ways Better Than Money, Promotion or Recognition to Motivate Employees Employers who take into consideration our human need to be a respected member of a team doing worthwhile work never worry about motivation and retention.

By Tor Constantino

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Kansas City Royals | Facebook

There are dozens of ways that leaders and organizations motivate their employees. Pay raises, promotions and recognition are the most common motivational levers pulled.

While those all make sense on the surface, they don't necessarily equate to sustained employee motivation. If an individual is given repeated salary bumps, but is forced to do unfulfilling work, it's unlikely they'll stayed engaged in their day-to-day activities. Or, if they consistently get promoted via inflated titles and monikers but they're constantly micro managed, the phony title is hollow and the promotion can be a de-motivating factor.

Lastly, recognition is meaningless if employees are given wooden plaques, Plexiglass-glass trophies or framed certificates without the context of their connection within the organization or with other co-workers.

These obvious methods of motivation tend to ignore the psychological needs that truly drive and motivate employees, so it makes sense that an amalgamation of the best psychological motivators for employees is worth considering.

1. Control.

At the heart of the issue of control is our human need to perceive we have freedom to exercise short- and long-term choices. That reflects our need to feel that what we are doing is of our own direction and discretion.

Allowing employees to take appropriate action and make decisions relating to the work they do can be more motivating than any other single factor.

Related: How to Take Control of Your Career … Now!

2. Connection

Some psychological models identify "connection'' as our need to be accepted and loved. Within the workplace it manifests as caring about the organization and be cared about by others. It is our inherent need to feel connected to others, without concerns about ulterior motives, as well as believing in a vision larger than ourselves.

Connection has the power to galvanize a workforce during hard times and inspire them during good times, and isn't that a critical definition of motivation?

Related: 5 Ways to Foster Team Culture on a Startup Budget

3. Competency.

This motivating factor has been defined in psychology circles as significance or esteem.

On the job it tends to materialize as a personal sense of effectiveness or competency to successfully address everyday challenges and opportunities. It's demonstrating skill over time or a feeling of growth and flourishing within the organization.

Without a strong sense of competency, of having the right skills for the right job to drive results, it's difficult to believe in yourself and stay motivated.

Not only are these three factors impactful, they're also low- or no-cost to implement. And each of these factors touch the employee's core, unlike pay, promotion and awards.

While pay, promotion and awards can be important motivating factors within the proper context and application, leaders that pay consideration to employees' core psychological needs will likely see greater motivational dividends in the long run.

Related: Thriving Cultures Are Built With Recognition and Praise

Tor Constantino

Former Journalist, Current PR Guy (wielding an MBA)

Tor Constantino is a former journalist, consultant and current corporate comms executive with an MBA degree and 25+ years of experience. His writing has appeared across the web on Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune and Yahoo!. Tor's views are his own and do not reflect those of his current employer.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business Models

A Company With a Conscience — How to Make High-Priced Products Accessible to Working-Class Families

Some products are inherently expensive. Companies can offer leasing programs, financing options and other marketing approaches to make them accessible to working families.

Growing a Business

How to Get Your Business Noticed (and How to Brag About It)

Knowing how to go after important recognition awards and then leverage them can have a long-term impact on your business.

Marketing

What's the Best Social Media Influencer Option for Your Business?

The success of an entire marketing campaign involving influencers hinges on the meticulous selection of the right social media blogger. Do you know how to choose the right one?

Leadership

7 Reasons Why CEOs Need to Develop a Personal Brand — and How to Build One.

Here's why crafting a captivating personal brand and origin story is pivotal in today's landscape and how these seven tangible advantages can redefine your success as a business leader.

Science & Technology

ChatGPT Is Powerful — and Can Wreak Havoc If You Don't Know Its 5 Fatal Flaws

There's no denying that ChatGPT is powerful. It should, however, be used with an awareness of its limitations to maximize its potential.