Ten Ways to Motivate Workers

We recently reported on the challenges companies are facing in keeping employees happy, motivated and engaged at work. As for solutions, look beyond empty words of praise and birthday-cake celebrations for employees. Instead, help your team members recognize the inherent worth of their roles and how they contribute to organizational excellence, says Timothy Bednarz, author of "Great! What Makes Leaders Great: What They Did, How They Did It and What You Can Learn From It" (Majorium Business Press/available now). To effectively lead, managers and standout performers should resist a one-size-fits-all approach to inspiring employees. It requires insightful understanding of the individual, Bednarz says. Following are 10 best practices that will help cultivate a purpose-fueled, engaged workforce.