If your team or a team member is suffering from low morale, productivity suffers for everyone involved. Maybe it’s a lingering issue or related to a specific event, but whatever the reasoning, low morale impacts productivity and isn’t sustainable (not to mention not fun). It doesn’t have to be that way! Today, you can and should take immediate action to boost your team’s spirits.
When you acknowledge and appreciate the people around you, you are demonstrating a mindset of service. I believe every team member and leader needs to have this top of mind. Never let yourself be satisfied with the autopilot mentality or the status quo.
Today, if you’re in one of those valleys where morale isn’t great, commit to one of these steps.
Why wait?
Molly’s Favorite Morale Boosters
1. Respectively seek out your team member’s space to check in. There’s no substitute for face time and being present, and positive body language can convey that you care. Meeting a team member in their space signals that you care.
2. Remind each team member of his/her particular strengths. Give a recent concrete example. Celebrating the differences that make your team strong helps everyone express their individuality and embrace their unique gifts.
3. Offer authentic gratitude to your teammate. Don’t forget the simple power of saying thank you. Acknowledging the little “thankless tasks” along the way that are beneficial to your team’s collective well-being can go a long way in showing people that they are valued.
4. Extend a helping hand. Even if your team member declines, sometimes this gesture is the best way to acknowledge the challenges a person is facing.
5. Break the routine. If your team has been grinding, can you build in some time off? Maybe it’s a gorgeous fall day in your area and it’s time to encourage some fresh air and rejuvenation. An impromptu team lunch or happy hour might really help everyone.
6. Encourage team members to share something that has helped them lately. You can model this by sharing something that speaks to your team’s challenges and encourages them. Maybe a quote that is genuinely inspiring to you and the reason why, or a book.
7. Inject humor if possible. This can be a little tricky and should not be at the expense of anyone. Done right, it reflects your perspective and the ability to step away from a situation long enough to see it in a different way. Humor keeps us from taking tasks so seriously that the tasks get harder to complete.
8. Eliminate distractions and unnecessary structure that kill morale. Is there something people dread that you can remove from their world for a period of time? Structure that is supportive and clear is much more effective for focusing team members. It bears in mind the best interests of each team member, builds trust and encourages balance.
Your Game Changer Takeaway
Choose one action item to implement with your team today. Or maybe you’re inspired to do something more customized for your team.
When you compassionately serve those whose work with you, you set an example for selflessness that guides a team to better morale. Model the behavior that shows that their efforts are valued—and do it now and often.
Molly Fletcher helps inspire and equip game changers to dream, live and grow fearlessly. A keynote speaker and author, Molly draws on her decades of experiences working with elite athletes and coaches as a sports agent, and applies them to the business world. Her e-learning courses spark both personal growth for individuals and corporate development for organizations. Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter.