As an employer, you do everything you could just to ensure that you hire the best employees you could possibly find. You follow your standardized hiring procedure carefully, have employment background checks and do smart interviews and examinations with the applicants. Your efforts are rewarded as you find what you are looking for—persons with exceptional knowledge and skills and upbeat personalities to match it.

Then one day, you are devastated to find out that your cream of the crop employee wants to leave your company stating lack of motivation as the primary reason for his leaving. You scratch your head and wonder on what area you could have possibly lacked in giving the motivation your employee is talking about.

Indeed, motivation is one of the most important keys in developing healthy employer and employee relationship. This healthy relationship in turn becomes a significant factor that would make employees loyal to a particular company. Of course, there are other reasons why great employees leave their companies, some are related to motivation, and some are not.

1. Low workers compensation or lack of benefits and incentives - Great employees have adept skills and excellent working attitudes and if you do not give them what they are worth, they will immediately find some other company who can.

    

2. Job for two people done by one employee – When companies cut down on expenses, they sometimes delegate tasks meant to be done by two people to one person. This results in more work and longer hours, which a great employee does not really appreciate.

    

3. Negative working environment – Employees who gossip or fight a lot with each other and managers who plays favoritism and promotes vicious competition among workers are some of the major turn-offs for an excellent employee who only wants to be left at peace so he can excel in what he does.

    

4. Fallible working system and poor management of the company – Efficient workers are attracted to companies with efficient management. They are less likely to be contented working for a company that has weak morals, system and objectives.

    

5. Lack of room for growth – great employees need to know that they are going somewhere and if you cannot provide that then they will tell themselves that they do not have any reason staying in your company.

    

6. Mean and unreasonable bosses – Nobody can stand a mean boss who says nasty things, who undermines people’s good qualities, and who abuses employee’s time and kindness.

* Know your employees. As an employer, you should know that there are many strategies for motivating an employee and that not everything works the same way for others. For example, one employee will be motivated with monetary incentives, another would be more motivated with a promotion. It really depends on the person. Get to know your employees well so you can employ the right motivation strategy.

* Give generous rewards. Aside from good pay and benefits, generous rewards for excellent performance are a surefire way to motivate them and boost their morale. Rewards do not only have to be money all the time, you can reward them with flexible hours or with occasional treats to lunch or dinner.

* Provide proper training. Great employees are more motivated when they are given the right kind of training that would make them excel even more in their jobs.

* Show recognition. Another effective motivator is by expressing appreciation for your employee’s job well done. Every great employee needs to know that his efforts are recognized and appreciated. This will reinforce the behavior and you can expect even more improved performance in no time.

* Accept suggestions. Excellent employees always have great and creative ideas in mind. Encouraging input from them is a good motivator, as this will make them feel that what they think and say matters to you.

* Establish a positive working environment. This is so that everyone can work in peace. Be sure that you treat your employees with respect and dignity and that you encourage camaraderie and teamwork among them.

* Allow employees to grow professionally. Promotions are very important because employees need to see and feel that they are going somewhere with your company.

Motivation does not only make employees want to stay in a certain company, also of equal importance is how this can improve productivity and inspire employees to work even harder.