Many of us are involved with large organizations, whether for profit or not, we provide our time and effort to support the institution’s goals, voluntarily or otherwise.

Typically large organizations have some administrative bureaucracy built into their operations.  This can range from internal governance to regulatory or external requirements.  Bureaucratic behavior is probably be embedded in the organizational culture.

Putting in Time

Large organizations with heavy bureaucracies often end up with a  percentage of people that are going through the motions.  For a lot of them boredom has set in, but their daily activity is something to do ( fiscal compensation if not a volunteer role is also a motivating factor to put up with the boredom)

Leaders of large organizations particularly those with administrative operations that lean toward the bureaucratic can and should address contributor boredom proactively. For both organizational and the team members benefit.

Motivational Practices

• Ongoing communication of why everyone’s contribution is important and successes achieved.  This is recognition needs to reach to everyone and does not work as a motivator if just focused on the organizational level.
• Team building through regular fun activities.  Involve everyone in games and celebrations outside of the organizational context.  Let people release tensions and recharge.  Demonstrate organizational contribution is more than just day-to-day drudgery
• Encourage innovation and creative thinking.  That creates a culture of empowerment that does not set boundaries and force everyone into a boring and mundane box.
• Change (for the better) should be constant.  Change always includes some challenge and challenge is motivating.