Meeting with companies of all sizes, across different industries and in different locations, we often hear about one common concern: low company morale. Managers and supervisors understand the importance of their staff feeling good about their jobs and motivated to work for company success. Low morale can be extremely detrimental, and we are often asked for ways to improve it. Here are 18 suggestions to help get morale back on track:
1. Help employees feel that their work is more than just a job. One’s purpose can easily get lost in the day-to-day grind. Everyone wants to feel that his or her work has meaning.
2. Invest in training — Get employees out of their ruts and let them take advantage of learning events.
3. Be transparent with promotions — Let people know what opportunities are available to advance their careers. Let workers know what’s needed to level up.
4. Be stingy with meeting time — Discuss the topic of wasting time in meetings company-wide. Talk about how detrimental meetings can be when they get out of control.
5. Shuffle roles — Let employees jump from one department to another — encourage coworkers to educate one another on what’s required in their role.
6. Redefine the work week — Initiate half-day Fridays or a four-day workweek. Ask employees whether they’re happy with the five-day week. Let employees know that you care.
7. Creatively celebrate accomplishments. Take time to reflect on how much has been achieved. This helps employees appreciate their contributions.
8. Grant time off to workers to pursue projects they’re passionate about. Personal projects can provide an energizing break from regular responsibilities, serve as a source of innovation, and maybe even spark new products or services for your company.
9. Mix up your firm’s usual way of doing things. Depart from customary routine — for a quick boost in company morale. For instance, stage an indoor golf tournament. Give employees a break from the meeting / computer time cycle.
10. Don’t forget to have fun. Play a monthly game — anything from Trivial Pursuit to Wii bowling matches could be fun. Consider offering rewards when staffers achieve certain goals — such as play days at local amusement parks or team-building events (like a scavenger hunt).
11. Train employees to develop positive attitudes. Use videos with inspiring themes.
12. Offer time away from the office to do some good — Build camaraderie through community service. Give employees paid hours to volunteer for a charitable initiative or organization. Departments can take on volunteer projects as a group.
13. Remember your original goals for the company. Is your company living up to the standard you originally set for it? If not, push for change.
14. Encourage innovation — Employees likely have valuable input – and are waiting for the opportunity to offer suggestions.
15. Circle back after big projects — Pass on feedback before the next task is started. Let people voice any concerns about the outcome. Be collaborative — ask for one thing that worked and one thing that can be improved upon.
16. Treat people like people — Put yourself in your staffers’ shoes. How might you respond to the feedback you’re giving?
17. Showcase their trophies — Make workers’ achievements visible. Stand up for the team.
18. Be the best example — Say what you mean and do what you say.
Positive experiences and impactful shifts can lead to change in the office and can boost morale. There is a lot about morale that you actually can control, and our hope is that some of these tips will get your company's "positivity meter" pointing back in the right direction.