The Ten Most Deadly Demotivators

1. Politics

   Employees are aware of unwritten "rules of success" where rewards, promotions, etc. go to those who "play politics."

2. Unclear Expectations

   Mixed messages and confused priorities cause employees to become frustrated and angry.

3. Unproductive Meetings

   Employees feel powerless when meetings are disorganized, lengthy, unnecessary, or boring.

4. Constant Change

   Unnecessary changes or changes that are discontinued without any follow-up force the employee to question the credibility of the employer.

5. Dishonesty

   Employees dislike employers who make false claims, cover up mistakes, omit key facts, say one thing but do another, or outright lie.

6. Withholding Information

   Lack of information makes employees feel stupid and distrusted.

7. Discouraging Responses

   Too many managers invite employee suggestions only to ignore them or deride them, causing low employee esteem and morale.

8. Unfairness

   Employees are offended by preferential treatment, special favors, and perks given to some employees and not others, or astronomical compensation for owners, managers.

9. Being Taken for Granted

   If they are never recognized or thanked for their efforts, employees quit producing.

10. Being Forced to Do Poor Quality Work

    Regardless of hectic production schedules, employees don't like "cutting corners" and being forced to do shoddy work; employees robbed of taking pride in their work feel angry and demoralized.