How to incentivize staff with no money?

I was a front desk receptionist for a social service office in Westchester working on my undergrad as a public administrator when I asked myself this question for the first time. How do you incentivize staff with no money? I remember hearing for the first time that managers weren't allowed to give staff gifts valued higher than $25 and well salaries weren't that high. That night I went home and as usual went to bed thinking how can a manager then really appreciate the work of their employees when they are limited. Remember, I was only 21 at the time so this was all new to me. I was still learning so much about management. This was probably my first journey into management. I just never imagined 12 years later I would be answering my own question. Fast forward to my today. I am leading a team of professionals that are doing some amazing work along my side. As you may already know, non-profit work and that which works with trauma and direct services can be stressful. So how do I incentivize and motivate my staff to stay motivated, flexible and committed to their task and team? Here are my three favorite tips: Relationship: Many managers are very afraid of becoming personally involved with their staff. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to build a out of work - buddy buddy relationship with your staff. What I am referring to is, let's be relational. Interact with your staff and lead with honesty. Let your staff know that you understand them, support them and will be there to guide them. Build that trust that will have them following you and respecting your decisions. Learn their names, give them a space to feel comfortable to be honest with you and know when to be professional and off the record. Appreciate: One of the practices I have is always thank my staff for what they do. I remind them, what they do is for the population we serve, the team they are part of and their professional skills that they will continue to sharpen. One of my childhood lessons that my mother made sure I practiced everywhere I went was manners. I remember the kitchen staff at my school telling my mother, "your daughter never fails to thank me" you'd be surprised what that can do to people working hard after a long day. So thank you after a long day of your teams day. Let them know you appreciate their dedication. Listen to them: It is hard for your employees to communicate to them their needs. Many times staff is afraid of approaching you to discuss how they are feeling in the job, how they are managing their task or how they are feeling that day. If you practice the steps above you will get them to listen to you. Everybody wants to be heard. You want your team to be able to give you feedback. How else will I grow as a leader? There is no better way to give someone value for their work and skills then to listen to their feedback. Not only will their ideas potentially improve a process but it will ultimately build confidence in your team to be independent thinkers and push themselves to improvement. At the end - a nice lunch on the boss won't hurt!

An ambassador of HIS love...

My heart is torn. My boss was fired last week and I didn't realize how much it has impacted me until this week. I work for the Admissions Office at a school that provides the community with free training. I thank God for allowing me to come to this job, I know without a doubt that it was in his plan for me to be here. However, ever since I started working here I have noticed the animosity and constant war that occurs within the departments. I never knew how serious all this was, until my boss got fired. She was given a two week notice, and has been extremely strong by still coming to work these weeks and doing her job regardless.

As I knelt down in prayer tonight, I prayed and cried. Although, many of us many not see our jobs and the people we work with important, as christians every person that comes across our path is important. For me it was my boss. If there is one thing I have always asked GOD is to let me be a small light even in the my job. Many times we can get caught up with life and forget the reason for our existence. Ambition, pride and greed can get in the way sometimes. I am not saying that we shouldn't want to achieve more and become successful but my concern is where is our heart in all this? I am so disappointed in the person that fired my boss because as much as I didn't want to believe that he was this person that had such bad motives even after constantly shouting to the world that he is this christian man that goes to church. I know that I am no one to judge and those are not my intentions. However, based on the time I have been working with this organization I have come to terms that many people have lost sight on the mission of our organization and their life. We are a community based organization that is supposed to be for the people. Our best interest should be those around us that are struggling to make in it life and as christian and leaders even in our jobs we need to make sure we are reflecting the wisdom and love that God has given, as King Solomon did.

For three years I have been working at this office and never had I spoken up at one of our meetings. However, this past Tuesday I felt the urge to express my concerns. I know that everyone looked at me and must have been so shocked. But my heart is torn, because of what we have become and the injustice. Even as a nation we have lost sight of what is important in this world. And I was so heart broken when out of the mouth of the people the are supposed to be the leaders of this organization came out words that reflected no compassion for those struggling. I reminded those in the meeting that at one point we needed someone to lift us up and give us a word of encouragement and that is what we should be doing. I know that we think that sometimes we don't need to make a difference in our workplace, after all it's just a job. That is not true, it's especially at our jobs that we should reflect who GOD is. We are accountable for our decisions and to be a light unto the world.

As I prayed tonight, all I can do is cry and then as the Spirit ministered to my heart I realized what the LORD was trying to show me. I cried because I thought about how I know that I don't have the "title" or "position" to be of influence or so I thought. But in that moment the LORD let me feel that it is that anointing that he pours over us, what really matters! Not to say that we won't become successful in this world, and aim to become whomever GOD want's us to be. As a matter of fact I encourage you to strive for more. May the LORD place his people in strategic places, that will get to the hearts of all. I pray to GOD that HE may strengthen me to finish my education and appoint me where I will be of impact to the world. That is it, I cried before the LORD!! I realized "LORD all I want to do will not be for my glory, it will be to glorify YOUR name." "To become an ambassador of your love." That everywhere I go, be it with my coworker, with my family or my friends that despite my imperfections I may be a true example of your LOVE. After all, this is the reason why we were created, to share the love of our creator. As I continue to grow spiritually, and in all the areas of my life, all I want to make sure is that in the end the NAME OF GOD will be glorified. And YES that is the purpose and should be the motivation for us to strive to become the powerful person that GOD wants us to be. We want to be able to change the lives of others around us because of that LOVE that GOD has given to us.

It's the LOVE of GOD that has us where we are, and I pray that the same LOVE that GOD has shown us we may show unto the world. So whether, you are a bus driver, clerk, administrator, Lawyer, doctor, artist, actor, mother, father, brother, student, or whatever role GOD has given us, or that we have chosen, be sure to always give GOD the glory. That through every success in our life, it may some how reflect the love of GOD. That is my goal, if anything I know it will motivate me to do what GOD want's me to do! So today make the decision to spread the LOVE of GOD and ask yourself "am I being an Ambassador of God's Love?"