The REDi Holbourne Recruitment Group, a leading executive recruitment firm in South Africa, share their latest findings on employee motivation, highlighting the nuanced elements that drive long-term engagement and productivity beyond mere financial incentives for employees to keep their jobs or in the hiring process attract the best candidates.
Unveiling the Real Drivers of Performance
In the dynamic world of Executive Recruitment, understanding what truly motivates Executives and those that they lead, is vital, says Michael Bremermann, Partner at Holbourne Advisory, the Executive Search brand of the REDi Holbourne Recruitment Group. “While financial incentives can boost short-term performance, they often fail to sustain long-term engagement and commitment which are required to transform into or to remain at the forefront of the market. True motivation requires a holistic environment, constituted of: a positive workplace culture, growth opportunities, and a sense of purpose. Focusing only on monetary compensation creates an environment which overlooks these crucial factors essential for a sustained, committed and high-performing workforce.”
Why Money Isn’t Everything
A significant part of our role as recruiters involves advising candidates to look beyond the immediate financial benefits of a job offer. While competitive salaries are essential, they are not the sole factor in achieving lasting job satisfaction and high performance.
“When we pay people, we can see an immediate increase in productivity, but what we don’t see is that we also create a long-term disassociation,” says Alex Ackron, Partner (Human Capital) at the REDi Holbourne Recruitment Group. This often leads to employees questioning the true value of their work, when money is the primary motivator.
The Bigger Picture: Key Motivators Beyond Money
We have identified the below key motivators that contribute to sustained employee engagement and productivity, this is pivotal for companies to retain their talent and attract the best candidates for their hiring pipelines or immediate vacancies to be filled.
- Positive Reinforcement and Recognition: Acknowledging achievements and contributions can significantly boost morale.
- A Happy Workplace Culture: Fostering an inclusive, positive work environment is crucial for long-term engagement. Effectively addressing toxic behaviour is critical for team cohesion.
- Purpose and Impact: Employees are driven by the opportunity to make a difference and contribute to meaningful projects.
- Growth and Development: Providing clear paths for career advancement and personal growth encourages loyalty and hard work.
- Autonomy and Flexibility: Empowering employees with autonomy and flexible working conditions enhances job satisfaction
Our business services and best practice goes beyond traditional recruitment practices. We do this by addressing the diverse factors that contribute to employee well-being, elevating our hiring practices and positioning our clients to build motivated, robust teams committed to their roles and aligned with the company’s vision.
