“Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.”
– Stephen R. Covey
Maintaining morale is part and parcel of managing a team. Low morale can stem from a variety of sources and can vary throughout the year. No matter the cause, you need to be proactive and be ready with a response to help boost morale in your team. Get started with these 7 ideas:
Focus on wellbeing
Employee wellbeing is more important than ever. Happy employees are more productive, more creative, and happier at home. If your team’s happy, you’re happy! The past 12 months have highlighted the organisations that care for their employees, and those who need to do better. Now is the time to review your wellbeing policy and make it a priority. Small things such as celebrating birthdays or work anniversaries can be a great boost for everyone throughout the year.
Be open-minded
Being open-minded is key, especially in a post-COVID workplace. What works for one may not work for another and flexibility has never been more vital to creating a happy work environment. This year has shown that employees can be trusted to work from home. Tasks are being completed on time, even with the added strains of remote working and reduced access to resources. Build on that trust and find flexible ways to work that benefits everyone.
Introduce perks
For large organisations, apps like Perkbox are a great way to introduce perks into your workplace, as it’s a simple and easy way to get everyone involved. However, it doesn’t have to be so comprehensive. Small team-based rewards are always appreciated. An extra day off, finishing an hour early, or vouchers are all easy ideas. Think about what works for you and how you can incorporate perks into your workplace to help boost productivity and morale.
Put yourself in the thick of it
No matter how much your team explain the good and bad points of their role, the most effective way to understand is to experience it yourself. Put yourself in their shoes for a day. You’ll be able to see what’s really happening on the front line and overcome any hierarchical disconnect. This can be a great exercise to show you’re willing to get stuck in. Breaking down the job title barriers will make you more approachable and help your team to communicate with you openly.
Try Team building activities
A day away from the desk, or the office entirely can be great for building rapport with your team. It doesn’t have to be survival retreats and zip line courses (although that does work for some!). It can be small things such as a weekly lunch together, quizzes or problem-solving activities. Most importantly, it should be fun! For some, team building days are the stuff of nightmares, so ensure you find something everyone can enjoy.
Get feedback…and listen to it!
We’ve all been in situations where we feel we aren’t being heard. It’s frustrating, stifles creativity, and causes stagnant relationships. If your team feel they are not being listened to, they will find a company that does. One to ones, surveys, and exit interviews are great ways to create an open channel of communication. Your team should team feel comfortable giving honest feedback and should be informed about any changes that are put in place.
Lead by example
Busy days quickly turn into busy weeks and before we know it, months have passed by. As a leader, it is your responsibility to be an advocate for everything listed here, and more. Policies and plans are great, but they need to be actioned to have significance.
If you’d like to find out more about how our courses can help you grow as a leader and build a harmonious team, get in touch today.