Ever been faced with an employee who doesn’t seem the least bit motivated? To get to the root of the problem and uncover his or her motivational needs, start with sincere praise of their strengths. Even the most ornery employees usually have at least one characteristic you can admire, even if it means spinning their negative traits into positives!

To an employee who stews all day in his office:
“I like your intensity. Have you always been so intense when it comes to your work? What can I do to help your time here be less stressful?”

To an employee who has trouble meeting deadlines:
“I appreciate all the time and attention you spend on your reports. Unlike the reports I get from others, yours never have mistakes. What steps do you take to make sure your reports are flawless? How long does that process usually take? Do our usual deadlines give you enough time to prepare your reports? What can we do to help so that your reports arrive before the deadline, without losing your trademark accuracy?”