How can you effectively motivate different personality types?

Motivating employees is often on the list of top management challenges. The task can be difficult because no two employees are the same and each will respond differently to your motivational efforts. It may help to consider that there are four common personality types and that most of your employees will fall into one of them. Analyzing which personality type a particular employee demonstrates will allow you to tailor your motivational strategy to the individual.

The following are four common personality types and ideas for keeping them inspired:

1. Steady. This employee will consistently deliver results, but outwardly does not show a lot of ambition. He or she thrives on routine and rarely takes on assignments that fall outside of his or her typical job duties. Because this person prefers stability over change, give plenty of notice about deadlines and help him or her prioritize tasks when new projects arise. This employee will avoid the spotlight, so share compliments in person rather than before a crowd.

2. Assertive. This employee thrives on competition and has an eye on the corner office. This person values status and will work hard for promotions. Since assertive employees work in a win/lose world, competitive terms like outsmart and surpass will inspire action. Let this employee know how to get to the next rung of the career ladder and provide him or her with high-profile, challenging projects.

3. Personable. This employee is warm, gregarious and friendly. Cultivating positive professional relationships and seeking approval from coworkers are priorities. Work is a social occasion for the personable employee. Capitalize on this person's friendly disposition by letting him or her organize team-building activities. Because personable employees aim to please, offer meaningful praise and always pass along kudos from clients or team members.

4. Artistic. This employee thrives on producing quality work and leans toward perfectionism. Artistic employees tend to value interesting assignments over prestigious job titles and compensation. Provide these employees with projects that require creativity and an eye for detail. Enter artistic employees' work in industry competitions and give him or her time to fine-tune assignments.