Take a look at your employees. What do you see? Do they seem happy and excited about their work? Or they seem disinterested and anxious to go home?
If you have noticed them slack and be sloppy in their work, then their morale isn’t as high as you thought it was. Their problems with low morale and disengagement might go deeper.
It can be some growing dissatisfaction, burn-out, negative employee experience, or any other factor for that matter. You should do something about it before it’s too late.
Here are five surprising ways to help you boost employee morale and engagement.
1. Discuss Working Hours
When employees struggle with juggling work, family, and social obligations, their morale weakens. As their leader, it’s your responsibility to help them succeed not only professionally but also personally. The best way to help them out is through regular communication. The more you talk with your employees, the more you get to know them, their interests, family status, etc.
When you know your staff well, you can openly discuss matters such as working hours, workload, etc. The discussion should help them have a family and social life outside work. For this reason, ask them about their weekly plans and scheduled appointments and take them into account when coming up with a working schedule.
Of course, it won’t be possible to accommodate everyone’s schedule but you’re doing what you can so your employees can have a better work-life balance. When they’re satisfied and happy, they spread positivity around the office.
2. Communicate Transparently
You and your employees have different perspectives regarding the company. As a part of the management, you’re focused on the bigger picture. Business plans, goals, and the company’s growth are always on your mind.
On the other hand, your employees live one day at the time. Their focus is on their day-to-day projects and tasks.
Because of different viewpoints, they may not always see eye to eye when it comes to changes on the organizational levels. To make them understand and accept changes, you should keep all communication as transparent as possible. Communicate often and keep them in the loop. Don’t let anything stand in your way to great internal communications. If the company’s in trouble and you’re leaving your staff in the dark, they will not only feel frustrated but also lose all trust in the management.
3. Stop and Smell the Roses
Both managers and employees easily get absorbed in their work. They have busy days, weeks, or even months. Soon before they know it, a whole year has passed by at work. Because of their hectic schedules, they often forget to stop and smell the roses. Chances are you’re familiar with this situation.
Well, it’s time to turn on a new leaf. This time, you can take a few minutes every day to recognize your employees’ hard work. Saying well done or a good job is the easiest way to boost their morale. It takes only a few minutes of your time, but it does wonders for their self-esteem and team spirit. You can also keep a close eye on your employees.
This way, you can easily notice when someone improves, even in the slightest way, and give them a booster they need to continue improving.
4. Have Fun
No matter how much work you have, you and your team should always make time for fun activities. Every manager knows how much team building is important for strengthening team spirit. What only great managers know is that the secret to one-of-a-kind team building experience are carefully designed activities.
This means that you should use your knowledge about your team members and come up with activities that will grab their attention and get them excited. Organizing some random activities that no one wants to participate in won’t get you anywhere. Instead, ask around the office and see what kind of activities they like, are there some activities they desperately want to try, etc.
Since they’ll be spending some time outside work, you should at least make it worthwhile. Put your energy in organizing team building activities and make them as fun as possible.
5. Share Knowledge
No matter how much work you have, you and your team should always make time for fun activities. Every manager knows how much team building is important for strengthening team spirit. What only great managers know is that the secret to one-of-a-kind team building experience is in a carefully designed activity.
This means that you should use your knowledge about your team members and come up with activities that will grab their attention and get them excited. Organizing some random activities that no one wants to participate in won’t get you anywhere.
Instead, ask around the office and see what kind of activities they like, are there some activities they desperately want to try, etc. Since they’ll be spending some time outside work, you should at least make it worthwhile. Put your energy in organizing these activities and make them as fun as possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lena Hemsworth is a writer, enthusiast and loves to read a good book. She believes that there is nothing better than starting your day with a hot cup of coffee.
