1. Ignore them: Do not listen to their advice and do not answer their emails. Smile and say you will think about that matter…

2. Never deliver on promises: Make your employees believe that the workplace will be a better place very soon and never deliver what you said you would.

3. Blame them: Keep on pointing out mistakes and try always to look the person responsible behind that fault. More importantly, even when it is your fault find quickly a scapegoat.

How to keep your employees’ motivation high

Now, take the previous bullet list and add DON’T as first word, here you go:

1. Don’t ignore your employees: Make them feel valued and listened to. Don’t ignore their ideas and suggestions only because you are busy. Take your time to spend time within your company as if it were your family
2. Don’t promise if you are not absolutely sure you will be able to maintain what you said: It is not just about big promises such as a salary increase, but also smaller things. For example do not communicate to your staff you will be having weekly meetings if you are unable to attend them. Remember your employees see you as an authority, so everything you say matters.

3. Don’t blame your employees, but encourage them to do better: Establishing a work environment where terror and fear are the keywords is not wise.Your employees will start lacking confidence and will not be able to be creative and inspired.

Fear of failure and loss aversion is present in any individual, so enhancing it in the workplace will inevitably lead to decreased performance.

The key is Personal satisfaction

I think a lot of times it’s not money that’s the primary motivation factor; it’s the passion for your job and the professional and personal satisfaction that you get out of doing what you do that motivates you.
Martin Yan

Be a leader, not just a boss. Inspire your employees; inspire passion and reward them.