The reason to invest in improving morale is because it is the right thing to do and leads to improved business performance. Staff in the main consider leaving a business as they no longer feel valued. Boosting morale goes a long way to keeping a happy workforce. Coming out of the pandemic and returning to ”normal” has seen an increase in mental health issues amongst the workforce. HR management originated from personnel management which originated from welfare management. We’ve come full circle as businesses now more than ever are actively introducing welfare strategies. We don’t need to spend a fortune, but we do need a budget and here’s some cost-effective solutions to be getting on with:
1. Minimise uncertainty and communicate openly
Communicate openly, fully and with complete honesty even if the news isn’t great. Don’t think that if you hide any bad news, it’ll go away, or staff will not find out. They will. If they find out and it’s not from you, then you’ve lost them. Communicating just one piece of bad news with staff is hugely influential in gaining their trust. Create opportunities for staff to ask questions and get honest answers. If you can’t answer their questions, tell them that you can’t answer their questions and explain why.
2. Encourage Sincere Feedback
Inspire managers to make a point of observing staff doing something good every day. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple thank-you or a pat-on-the-back. It’s even better if it comes from the level above the current manager (the boss’s boss). This is simple to achieve, costs nothing and is hugely beneficial however it must be sincere. Do it in the right way, upbeat, sincere, and positive.
3. Celebrate Success
Celebrate any business success with a bit of a flourish. If you win some new business, retain some business, get invited to pitch for new business, tell your people. Actively encourage staff to get involved in finding and reporting on these positive stories. Let staff have some fun and make one minute masterpiece short video clips that can be posted internally or to your own YouTube channel or company blog. Spend five minutes at your next team meeting updating on the teams’ successes (major or minor) over the last month.
4. Introduce Very Low Cost, On-The-Spot Rewards
You could give a £10 voucher to spend in the local supermarket/shop, arrange for a free month’s subscription at the gym, pay for an employee and their partner to have a meal at a local restaurant etc. The key is matching the reward to the individual. 5. Fix Trivial Housekeeping Issues
People at work tolerate some stuff because it’s not a big deal. They assume that they can get through their day without having to resolve every single minor problem they encounter. However, these small irritants tend to snowball. The tea and coffee area is a real mess, the toilet doesn’t flush properly. All these irritants have a completely disproportional effect on morale (small stuff with big effect) so, get fixing straight away.
6. Team Meetings
Weekly team meetings are your chance as a manager to set the tone for next week’s work. Create a buzz by doing things in a different way. If the weather is good, take the meeting outdoors to a local park, especially after all the lockdowns. If you need to be indoors, find a quiet pub or restaurant (happy days). If you absolutely have to stay within your building, go to a different part of the premises (not your normal surroundings) and get everyone a proper coffee and a treat for the meeting
7. Make It Happen
Just make it happen. Take one of these ideas and just try it out this week. In fact, if reading this has sparked your own idea, then that’s even better, use your own idea and make that one happen. TEAMWORK brings GREAT WORK
