In the current job market, your employees may be experiencing uncertainty, apathy, or even wondering if they’ll have a job next week. For some world events over the last two years may have them reconsidering their current career path. Any way you look at it, workplace morale is taking a big hit
The “Great Resignation” is opening up a lot of opportunities for employees and a lot of challenges for employers. Add this to the normal daily pressures of work and you may be feeling like you’re in a bit of a slump.
If you and your colleagues feel unmotivated and unproductive, there are things you can do to boost morale and increase employee engagement in your workplace. Then, you’ll see everyone’s productivity soar!
Try these techniques to bring more motivation to your workplace:
- Get to know your colleagues. Perhaps you don’t really know your coworkers! Do you know them on a personal level or just as professionals? When you make an effort to learn more about them, you may discover what motivates them. It also makes them feel valued. The adage that people don’t care what you know until they know you care is even truer today than before. So how can you show you care?
- Recognize your colleague’s birthdays. Birthday cake, cupcakes, and even cards always lightens the mood! Your office will be glad that you care enough about them to recognize their special day.
- Ask about their personal lives. Are they married? Do they have children? What are their hobbies? These types of questions let you know about them as individuals. If you don’t remember things well, make notes and keep it in a file.
- Recognize personal and professional accomplishments. You might be surprised how a coworker is motivated when they know their team acknowledges and rewards the work they’ve done.
- Create an appreciation program. Ask your employees what are the ways in which they’d like to be recognized.
- Write them a personal thank you note if they’ve done something particularly impressive. You may also include a gift certificate or send something in recognition of their hard work.
- Take them out to lunch. You don’t have to leave the office if time is short; instead, order pizza or have lunch catered every so often. They’ll be able to relax and enjoy their work environment more when given a chance to socialize.
- Give them a voice. Create a satisfaction survey. These may even be done anonymously. Be sure to address any perceived problems quickly and thoroughly for the best results.
- Hold staff meetings regularly. This will give staff an opportunity to learn about the company’s status as well as voice any questions they may have. Ask for feedback if changes have to be made.
- Ask others what type of training they may need to do their job better. By offering continuing training, you’ll prove that your team is valuable to you, and you’ll do your business a great service by having top-notch, highly trained workers.
- Hold onsite workshops. Not only is this a great way to show your employees you’re investing in their professional development. It can increase motivation, build cross department relationships and potentially highlight skills your employees have that may have been hidden. Need workshop ideas? Click here.
- Finally, offer financial rewards. Everyone likes to get a little extra in his or her paycheck from time to time. Perhaps there’s a way to incorporate a performance bonus to boost morale.
- Talk with the employees and get their ideas. Seriously consider putting a rewards program into place. You may be surprised at what they come up with, and it might not be as expensive as you imagined!
When morale and productivity begin to wane, it’s important to let your employees know you value them. Sure, they get paid for the work they do every week, but sometimes they need a little pick-me-up. It’s really about building a culture of engaged employees. When you create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and can tell you how they contribute to the success of an organization, you’ll see massive returns on your investment. Not only in the form of profits, but in employee job satisfaction, problem solving, teamwork and more.
Rewards don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. A little bit of recognition can go a long way to improving the atmosphere in your workplace.
Give them the respect they deserve. Use these ways of boosting morale in the workplace and before you know it, your employees will have smiles on their faces and motivation on their mind!
If you want more secrets to building a successful career brand, you can:
Join Successfully Ever After an online course designed to help you create a personal brand designed with career success in mind within 30 days.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch quick tips to help your job search or make yourself promotable.
Join my private Successfully Ever After Facebook Group for trainings and information designed for success-seekers.
Check out my audio books: Get Noticed, Get Hired or When In Doubt, Delete It!
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