Seems the mantra in many ways these days is “we’re all doing more with less”.  Do you deal with this challenge, too? Do you have folks who are just tired of doing the job of two to three people? Are you trying to motivate them to keep doing more, but frankly are running out of carrots to offer and don’t want to take ‘em out back and just beat them into submission?  You do know I was just kidding on that last one, but how DO you get employees to do more with less, or at least the same as they had before without more pay, without yelling or losing your mind or stressing out?

Here are 5 ways to get employees to do more with less:

Give employees a choice on what they learn how to do and who they learn it from. Set the expectation that they will have to learn one other job, but get to pick which one. The sense of control will help motivate those who need that.

Explain what you need and why and talk to employees like they are human. If your boss is breathing down your neck, tell them that, in a nice way, but then ASK them to help you and get more work done as a team, versus the “I am leader, hear me roar” approach of telling someone what to do.

If you have a team of Entertainer-type, fun loving individuals, who work harder when there is more fun and lively interaction, then consider what giving an award for the most overworked, the one who makes coffee the most, the one with the most paper cuts, or other such silliness. Motivate them in a way they appreciate.

In many organizations, giving a raise right now, is just not an option, but what about giving more authorization for more time off? Can you give someone Friday afternoon off if they’ve worked their hind end off all week? Perhaps and it sure might help to repeat that behavior next week if they get an occasional reward of downtime.

There is a great deal of pride that can be shown with six simple words said to your boss at the right time. “I am so proud of them.” One person on the team overhears you say that to your boss and it may well elevate their motivation to a whole new level for a week. If you’re proud of them, tell your boss and mean it!