How Small Business Owners Can Motivate Their Teams by Understanding Emotional Needs
The Story of a Stuck Brain
Imagine this: You walk into your small business one morning, and the atmosphere feels heavy. Your once-enthusiastic team seems distant and disengaged. You notice some employees are overly defensive, others are avoiding eye contact, and a few seem paralyzed by indecision. What’s happening?
Without realizing it, your team might be stuck in a state of fight, flight, or freeze—a natural reaction when people feel threatened or overwhelmed. These responses are hardwired into our brains as a way to protect us from danger, but in a work environment, they can be triggered by stress, fear, or uncertainty. When employees are trapped in these states, it’s impossible for them to perform at their best. Their focus shifts from achieving goals to merely surviving the day.
As a small business owner, it’s crucial to recognize these signs and understand that beneath these behaviors are emotional needs that must be addressed. By attuning to these needs, you can help your team move out of survival mode and into a space where they feel motivated, valued, and empowered to do excellent work.
How to Identify Toxic Emotions
The first step in attuning to your team’s emotional needs is identifying toxic emotions that might be lurking beneath the surface. Toxic emotions can manifest in various ways, such as irritability, withdrawal, or resistance to change. These emotions can be contagious, spreading negativity throughout the workplace and affecting overall morale.
Dr. Henry Cloud, a renowned psychologist and author, emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional dynamics at play in any organization: “Emotions drive behavior, and behavior drives results.” If you notice patterns of negativity or disengagement, it’s a sign that something deeper is at work. Pay attention to changes in your employees’ behavior, body language, and communication. Are they less communicative than usual? Are they avoiding certain tasks or people? These could be indicators of underlying toxic emotions that need to be addressed.
CLICK HERE to Schedule a Consultation with Terry Porter.
How to Tactfully Give Boundaries on Emotions
While it’s essential to be empathetic toward your employees’ emotional needs, it’s equally important to set boundaries on how these emotions are expressed in the workplace. Toxic emotions can be destructive if left unchecked, leading to a hostile work environment.
Ken Blanchard, an expert in leadership and management, advises, “People who feel good about themselves produce good results.” To foster a positive work environment, it’s important to create boundaries that encourage healthy emotional expression while discouraging behaviors that harm the team’s morale.
For instance, if an employee is frequently venting negative emotions in a way that disrupts others, have a private conversation with them. Acknowledge their feelings but also explain how their behavior impacts the team. Encourage them to find constructive ways to deal with their emotions, such as seeking support from a mentor or using stress-relief techniques. The key is to be firm but compassionate, ensuring that everyone understands the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful work environment.
CLICK HERE to Schedule a Consultation with Terry Porter.
How to Attune to the Employee
Attuning to your employees means being sensitive to their emotional states and responding in a way that meets their needs. This requires active listening, empathy, and a genuine interest in their well-being.
When you notice an employee is struggling, take the time to check in with them. Ask open-ended questions that invite them to share what’s on their mind, and listen without judgment. Sometimes, just knowing that their concerns are heard can make a world of difference. Attunement also means being aware of the emotional climate of your workplace and making adjustments as needed. If you sense that stress levels are high, consider ways to alleviate the pressure, such as offering flexible work hours or providing additional support for challenging projects.
How to Be Hard on Issues and Soft on People
One of the most challenging aspects of leadership is addressing performance issues without damaging relationships. The key is to be hard on issues but soft on people. This means being clear and firm about the standards and expectations you have for your team while showing empathy and understanding toward the individuals involved.
When addressing an issue, focus on the behavior or outcome, not the person. For example, instead of saying, “You’re not doing your job properly,” you could say, “I’ve noticed that the project is behind schedule, and I’d like to discuss how we can get it back on track.” This approach allows you to address the problem without making the employee feel personally attacked.
As Henry Cloud points out, “The goal of confrontation is not to punish, but to restore.” By being kind and compassionate in your approach, you create an environment where employees feel safe to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and grow.
CLICK HERE to Schedule a Consultation with Terry Porter.
How to Positively Motivate the Team
Finally, to keep your team motivated, it’s important to focus on positive reinforcement and encouragement. Recognize and celebrate achievements, both big and small. Show appreciation for hard work and dedication, and provide opportunities for professional development and growth.
Ken Blanchard emphasizes the power of positive motivation: “Catch people doing something right.” When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to contribute to the team’s success. Regularly communicate your belief in your team’s abilities and create a culture where everyone is encouraged to bring their best selves to work.
CLICK HERE to Schedule a Consultation with Terry Porter.
Terry Porter is an Executive Life Coach. Working with clients to clarify and pursue their life dreams.
Attuning to the emotional needs of your team is not just about creating a positive work environment—it’s about empowering your employees to perform at their best. By identifying toxic emotions, setting boundaries, attuning to your team, being hard on issues but soft on people, and positively motivating your employees, you can help them move beyond survival mode and into a state of thriving.
If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level and learn how to better attune to your team’s needs, schedule a consultation with Terry Porter. Together, we can create a plan that fosters a motivated, productive, and emotionally healthy workplace.
Quote References:
- Cloud, Henry. Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge. HarperBusiness, 2013.
- Blanchard, Ken. The One Minute Manager. HarperCollins, 1982.
