You will find it hard to motivate your team if you are not engaged yourself. A good leader works by example. If you are demotivated, you cannot expect to inspire others. Who wants to follow an employer who persistently talks about their problems and how bad business is?

Employees will understand the current challenges, but there has to be some light at the end of the tunnel. That’s a lesson we’ve all become familiar with over the last 12 months. A perceived lack of direction from the Government has bred uncertainty in the population and the right behaviour, and this has led to disengagement (and a longer and tougher lockdown than might otherwise have been necessary). So too in business.

Let’s assume you’re engaged, but you have decided that there is work to do to re-engage members of your team. There are a number of areas you can focus on toenhance motivation within your team. Think about it with this simple formula:

Satisfy the basics + Daily motivation + Inspired leadership = Positive performance

How to achieve this is a longer list, but all are things a good manager and leader can offer.

Pause to reflect

• Arrange a short staff meeting where you can discuss the direction of the pharmacy in general terms and invite ideas and comments from staff in return. Write down the main outputs.
• Pick three of these things to talk to your team about in detail. Create a list.