[Don’t Take] Homer Simpson’s Advice on Motivating Employees

Homer Simpson has held almost 200 jobs (most lasting just one episode) and somehow manages to keep being fired and rehired at his semi-permanent position in his town’s power plant. While most of us would not be able to support ourselves with that many career changes (and our significant others may have a thing or two to say about our level of commitment) Homer has managed to do it and support his family.

 

 

With that much work experience our favorite bright-yellow, power plant operator has shared his knowledge on motivation over the years with not just his family, but his audience. Here are some words of wisdom from the world’s worst employee. 

 

“I think Smithers picked me because of my motivational skills. Everyone says they have to work a lot harder when I’m around.”

 

As much as this line makes us laugh, for some employees, they work with someone just like Homer. This one Simpson-like employee is not only a drain on their coworkers’ time and productivity, but their engagement and motivation. One remedy would be to let coworkers choose their own work groups, or rotate employee teams. If the problem persists the person may not be a good fit for the position or the company. 

 

“No matter how good you are at something, there’s always about a million people better than you.”

 

Another laugh-worthy line that is far from the truth. We’ve all encountered those rockstar employees that not only elevate their own level of work, but the performance of those around them. While Homer may be the cartoon antithesis of that person, most employees are quite good at their jobs or would like to improve and innovate.

 

“I’m going to lose my job just ’cause I’m dangerously unqualified!”

 

More likely he’s going to lose his job because he keeps single handedly driving up the power plant’s turnover rate! It is unlikely in today’s sophisticated job market for HR to botch the recruiting and hiring process so badly that a company ends up with at candidate who is “dangerously unqualified.”

 

 

That being said, for employees to remain relevant and performing optimally, ongoing training and development needs to take place. Opportunities to learn the newest skills will develop them as better employees and keep companies at the cutting edge of technology, and ahead of their competitors. 

 

Additionally, training and developing current employees will supply the company with a pool of applicants who are both qualified and experienced to fill higher positions, giving them the opportunity to hire and promote from within.   

 

“Lisa, if you don’t like your job, you don’t strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed.”

 

While what Homer is saying is essentially every manager and employers worst nightmare, it’s a stark reality. Many employees who aren’t satisfied with their jobs will under perform. This is not only detrimental to themselves, but to employees around them, and of course the company’s bottom line. 

 

As studies have pointed out employees who are motivated and engaged will be happier in their jobs and therefore be more productive and likely to stay longer with their company. Statistics show that if Mr. Burns showed his appreciation when Homer performed well, offered opportunities for training and development, and rewarded positive behaviors, he’d have a much better, motivated and happier employee. 

 

How Energy 2 Engage can help Mr. Burns [and you!]

As a full-service employee engagement and sales growth company, Energy 2 Engage offers incentive and recognition programs that can be customized to reward employees, sales channel partners, and business partners [and even Homer Simpson] with both tangible and intangible awards. With our direct-to-retail company branded rewards platform, employees can choose to spend their rewards on exactly what they want. And with leading technology and performance improvement expertise, Energy 2 Engage creates an effective employee engagement and recognition platform that builds employee loyalty and aligns behavior to your corporate goals and objectives.

 

Every business and every employee is different. Therefore, the awards they receive should fit who they are. Energy 2 Engage saves your business the time and expense of deciding which tangible or intangible awards to offer. Everyday can be a rewarding one. Choose a company branded rewards and loyalty platform that works to fit your business!