Motivational Quotes for Work

We know that how we communicate with others is crucial in the business world. But do you know that specific phrases inspire employees? We asked our business clients for motivational quotes at work, and below are the top fifteen positive quotes to say to employees.

Potent Expressions for the Office: An Overview

No matter what aspect of business or sales an individual specializes in, at one point or another, they will learn the power of language. Specific power phrases are proven to bring with them a sense of not only certainty but authority and trust. It is no secret that when we trust our businesses and trust those in sales, we not only believe in them—we buy from them. However, one of the secrets to a top-notch business sense is also an element that is often overlooked: the use of unique and convincing language. It may seem obvious, but from entrepreneurs to CEOs, many individuals who are overloaded with other essential tasks overlook the core strength that language can possess. However powerful language is, the emphasis here is on specific words and phrases that can empower, enable trust, and encourage success in business and higher sales.

Here we offer our list of motivational quotes for work that, when used in the complex world of business, can encourage and inspire workers.

1) I am proud of what you are doing.

Telling an employee, colleague, or coworker that they have inspired a sense of pride seems a little silly. After all, saying “I’m proud of you” feels as though it should be reserved for a family member and someone you share a house or surname with, not an office. However, variations on this simple phrase can inspire trust in those you work with and make employees feel not only successful but necessary.

2) Tell me more about that; I am curious.

There is something about asking an employee or colleague to divulge more about their life, experiences, or knowledge that simply opens things up. This phrase also shows that you are ready to listen. So many of us spend our office hours closed down to those who surround us while furiously multitasking online. While this routine is accepted and can be productive, telling someone that you are curious about what they are saying is abundant in a variety of ways.

First, it allows them to feel at ease and speak from the heart. Second, it gives them more confidence and authority, and employees who feel valued and trusted offer great ideas. Third, this phrase is so helpful that it can also be used with managers, supervisors, and really anyone of higher stature. When an employer knows that his subordinates are curious about him/her, and care about them, as opposed to simply seeing them as the one who writes the paycheck, a valuable flow of information is on its way to being established.

3) I am sorry about that.

Many of us have grown up in an environment that mistook apologizing as a sign of weakness and even defeat. However, this powerful and surprising turn of phrase shows the opposite of that. There is true strength in owning up to our shortcomings and errors, and saying this to someone at the office demonstrates that you are not perfect, that you acknowledge you have room to grow, and that you take responsibility for your actions. When the time comes for you to act decisively, people will trust in your actions because you have already shown that you are not above admitting failure. Our best leaders are those who recognize when they make mistakes and then learn from them. Promoting this “saying sorry” culture at the office is the opposite of weakness. Instead, it is a powerful expression indicative of strength, awareness, and good faith.

4) Let’s focus on what is working

We all know that in business, there are good days in the office when it feels as though everyone is gelling—and there are bad days. This little gem of a phrase is perfect for the latter when the negative news keeps pouring in. Sometimes, in our workplaces, it feels as though negativity is contagious, and everyone from the employees to the top brass chooses to focus on the difficulties at hand. So why not reframe things, and zero in on the positives? However small the things that are going well are, they are worth a look and can be used to build off of. Also, remember what we said about negativity being contagious (most evident on sleepy Monday mornings)? Well, positivity and optimism can also catch fire, so be the one to start the spread.

5) What can I do to help?

This one is all about revising and recalibrating a sense of perspective. It is also about listening. When individuals trust you enough to tell you about their problems, they trust you. Whether their issue is simply about the copy machine breaking down before their big presentation or more involved, they are reaching out with vulnerability. Unfortunately, we do not listen to each other enough these days in any capacity—blame it on technology, social media, or any number of pressures and concerns. This proactive response instantly lets the person know that you care about them and restructure your busy day to help them. It also turns a problem for one person into a solution for two people.

6) What do you think is bothering everyone?

This may sound like prying, but it is instead a way of gathering information. If you have employees, you know that the conversation changes when you or another supervisor or manager walks into the room. Your employees also may be reticent with their honest opinions about the new desks, vending machine, raise in gym rates, schedule changes; you name it. This phrase encourages people to vent, at the same time validating for them that their opinion matters. If you ask this question enough, you will begin to receive honest answers, and you may even be closer to finding out what makes some of your more mysterious employees tick. Why is this important? It will encourage office synchronicity and harmony. It will also give you a chance to solve a problem that is plaguing your workers, therefore becoming a bit of a hero in their eyes or at least a capable and caring boss.

7) What are some of your individual goals?

No, you are not a guidance counselor, and you are not currently interviewing someone for a popular position. However, let’s place a little more emphasis on listening. It will be easier to understand if you do not simply hear but listen to those around you. Greater understanding among individuals leads to greater empathy, efficiency, and unity. We think that sounds like the aesthetic of a winning workplace. Plus, knowing the unique goals that your workers, coworkers, and even advisors and supervisors have allows you to understand why they work the way they do. It will enable you to place them in projects that appeal to them and their future pursuits for your employees. This will add value to their work, and they will appreciate your sense of understanding of their individuality.

8) You have the full support of myself and the team.

If you have not heard this before, then perhaps it is time for a career change, or at least a reevaluation, because you haven’t been working in the right places. A straightforward, clear vote of confidence, this phrase will increase the confidence of everyone who hears it. We all want to know that we are supported and that someone has our back. Employees also want to know that their ideas and approach are respected enough that multiple people will go to bat for them. No, you are not a football coach, but sometimes motivation is motivation.

9) Let me brag about my employees for a bit.

When your boss tells a negative story about past or current employees, it can be awkward and even threatening. But telling a group of employees how well some of them are doing can encourage them to do the same. It also shows that you care. So, when you take the time at a meeting to recognize a specific group who really “crushed” their last project and presentation, do not be surprised if other employees take note. Since you have shown that it matters to you and behind you, the other employees will aspire to fill that role, soon, you’ll be spending half the meeting praising your workers, which doesn’t sound half-bad to us.

10) How do you think we can become more efficient as a company?

While it can be overdone, employees enjoy knowing that their opinion matters. It is a great idea to ask them how the entire operation can be improved in terms of speed and quality. After all, they are down in the trenches, observing all of the wins and losses of a typically busy day at the office with their own eyes. After all, this question gets at what those big consulting firms specialize in: asking employees questions, diagnosing the problems with the business, and penning extensive reports. Bypass the expensive consulting firm, and do your own research. Just do not be surprised if these questions inspire action and if those actions improve the business rapidly. Sounds significant to us.

11) If you were in my role, what would you do differently today (or this week, or this month, etc.).

This is an indirect way to solicit advice from employees in a setting that inspires honesty. However, it is not sneaky because you are asking for advice, opinions, and counsel from those who work in the office every day. This question runs the gamut because it could be requested by a CEO or the mail delivery guy. Wanting to get better at what you do is one of the focal traits of a good businessperson. This phrase is one of the keys to unlocking more office potential.

12) What keeps you up at night?

We do not want to get too personal here, but revealing that you stay up nights stressing about the business can be freeing, and it shows how essential the operation is to you. So often, we think that every employee is focused on the same issue or problem, but that is rarely the case. Bosses need to be aware of the different and unique challenges that their employees are facing in the office and life at large. This enables the higher-ups to understand their workers not just as employees, or numbers, spreadsheets, or sales—but as people.

13) What are our customers saying?

Your colleagues and employees can provide you with direct line-to-customer feedback. They are your eyes and ears on the ground, and we all know that our customers and prospective customers are what make our businesses run and continue to grow. Conversations focused on customer feedback are a way to open the lines of communication with workers about something of actual value. It will also show that you value their opinions and encourage them to treat customers well. When employees see a supervisor bending over backward to please consumers, they will understand the importance of customer service and do the same.

14) Why does working here give you a sense of pride?

No one is excited to go to work every day, from the CEO and COO to the guy who runs the snack cart outside with the excellent hot dogs. However, on days that feel hopeless, why not turn the prevailing opinion around? This superb phrase, or variations of it, enables workers to talk about other people, other projects, their favorite presentations, and other things they are proud of. What they say might surprise you. For example, did you know that Tim worked late every night this week to ensure that his group’s presentation was a hit? Were you aware that Sara brings coffee to everyone on Fridays, and that is why your French roast is always piping hot and extra delicious that day? Celebrate these workplace heroes, and the sense of office pride can only spread and grow.

15) OK, got it. What else?

Here is a beautifully open-ended question that provides endless opportunities. When asked about it, the individual usually thinks: “wow, I get to talk more?” Then, they searched out that valuable nugget of information that they had nearly decided not to share. Not surprisingly, it proves to be the wisest thing they have said. Try this little phrase—you will not be disappointed. And, it is so subtle that it does not put anyone on the spot, as opposed to tried-and-true office small-talk like “So, tell me about your weekend….”

Positive Quotes for Work

Of course, there are many more positive quotes for work; feel free to play around with positive phrasing since they can all spin off into countless variations. Whether in a board meeting, an interview, a conference, or a one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try out some of these expressions in your office. Ideally, they will provide inspiration, guidance, respect, and even comradery. President John Quincy Adams famously said: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader,” so take our 6th President’s word for it and become a better leader today.

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Motivational Quotes for Work and Inspire Employees