How do you motivate teams amid automation?
The rise of automation has brought about a significant shift in the way we work. Gone are the days of mundane, repetitive tasks that consumed most of our workday. Automation has taken over these tasks, freeing up our time to focus on more creative and impactful work. While this might seem like a dream come true, it also raises a crucial question: how do you motivate teams amid automation?
The answer lies in understanding the fundamental needs that drive human motivation. In his book “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” Daniel H. Pink explains that motivation stems from meeting three core needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness.
Competence refers to the need to feel capable and effective in our work. When we’re given tasks that challenge us and allow us to grow, we feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation. Automation removes the need for repetitive, mundane tasks, giving us the opportunity to focus on more complex and creative work that satisfies our need for competence.
Autonomy, on the other hand, is about having the freedom to make choices and have a sense of control over our work. When we’re given the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of our projects, we feel more engaged and motivated. Automation allows us to focus on higher-level tasks that require creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, giving us a sense of autonomy and control.
Finally, relatedness refers to the need to feel connected to others and a sense of belonging. When we work collaboratively with others, share ideas, and build strong relationships, we feel a sense of community and motivation. Automation has enabled us to work more efficiently and effectively, allowing us to focus on building stronger relationships and collaborating with our colleagues.
So, how do you motivate teams amid automation? The key is to recognize that human roles are evolving, and flourishing hinges on emotional and social skills like empathy, adaptability, and creativity becoming the new drivers of motivation.
Here are some strategies to motivate teams amid automation:
- Focus on high-value tasks: Automation removes repetitive, mundane tasks, freeing up our time to focus on more complex and creative work. Identify high-value tasks that require creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, and prioritize them.
- Provide autonomy: Give your team members the freedom to make choices and take ownership of their projects. This will give them a sense of control and motivation.
- Foster a sense of community: Encourage collaboration and teamwork. Automation has enabled us to work more efficiently and effectively, allowing us to focus on building stronger relationships and collaborating with our colleagues.
- Develop emotional and social skills: As human roles evolve, it’s essential to develop emotional and social skills like empathy, adaptability, and creativity. This will help your team members build stronger relationships and stay motivated.
- Recognize and reward achievements: Recognize and reward your team members’ achievements and contributions. This will give them a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
In conclusion, automation isn’t here to replace people; it’s to elevate them. By recognizing the fundamental needs that drive human motivation and implementing strategies to foster a sense of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, you can motivate your teams amid automation. As human roles evolve, it’s essential to develop emotional and social skills like empathy, adaptability, and creativity, and focus on high-value tasks that require creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Source: Growth Jockey (https://www.growthjockey.com/blogs/motivate-employees-in-age-of-automation)
