Businesses are always seeking new and better ways to improve employee performance and there’s no shortage of studies examining exactly what might impact performance the most. Does leadership have any influence on employee outcome, seriousness, skill and how they use their time? It does and not only for leadership itself, but by how people in charge influence the workplace environment and employee motivation.
The Impact of Good Leadership
It has been known for some time that leadership in any industry positively affects many workplace variables, including workplace relationships, employee inspiration and motivation, the overall environment or atmosphere of the workplace, and performance of the organization as a whole. On the flip side, bad leadership can deteriorate relationships, trust, motivation, performance and a lot more.
Leadership and Employee Motivation
Motivation is an employee’s strengths, tenacity and direction in an effort to attain some goal or get a job done well. When employees are motivated, it has been shown in research that they will persevere through rough times and show great resilience. In fact, these employees will actually inspire and motivate others to do the same, in good times or bad. Motivation drives performance.
Leadership and the Workplace Environment
Just as solid leadership encourages employee motivation, it also has an equally powerful impact on the workplace environment and culture. This influence is invaluable. The workplace environment is so important because it influences staff physically, psychologically and even spiritually. Great workplace conditions are an important ingredient in employee satisfaction and leadership drives this positive influence.
Final Thoughts on Leadership and Employee Performance
Businesses are about productivity, quality and maintaining a strong work force, all driven by great leadership. Regardless of the type of business or economic conditions, leaders must always be the ones who put their money where their mouth is and drive employee motivation and create a healthy and positive work environment.