Got Low Morale at Work? Here are Five Ways to Improve It

14 Dec Got Low Morale at Work? Here are Five Ways to Improve It

This time of year is so difficult: We know we need to keep working, but there’s so much else going on in the world, and in our lives, that it can be difficult to concentrate. 

As a leader in your workplace, you might feel more like the grumpy green guy with the heart that’s too small when you try to keep your team focused on work. You’d much rather feel like that same guy toward the end of the movie, when his heart grows three sizes in one day and everyone is happy and singing in their funny little pajamas. 

If your team’s morale is down in the dumps, here are a few ways to pick things up. 

• Recognize their hard work. The end of the year is a great time, for many reasons, to say thank you. It’s an even better time to celebrate accomplishments. Take some time in the last few weeks of the year to come together and review all that your team has achieved in the past 12 months. Who went above and beyond in their contributions to the company? Who grew the most and became even more fantastic? Take a little time to celebrate together all that you’ve done before you start to think about what more can be done in the year ahead. 

• Be flexible. Especially at the end of the year, it’s hard for people to concentrate at work when they’re trying to juggle their obligations there with what they need to do at home for their family and friends. Remind your team that, if they have PTO to use before the end of the year, it’s ok to do so! Manage expectations and ensure that you have sufficient coverage, but people have earned their time off and should be allowed to use it. If you can, encourage people to flex their schedules so they can address their to-do lists in the morning and come in later, or start and leave a little earlier to make sure they can secure that must-have gift. 

• Be supportive. We’ve all been through a lot in the past few years. For some people, the holidays are a tough time of year, trying to juggle obligations at home and at work while also dealing with stress. If your company doesn’t have one yet, work to create an employee assistance program, offering support and tools to handle stress, encourage wellness activities and make sure they’re taking good care of themselves. Healthier employees are more productive employees, but they’re also happier people who are less stressed out and less likely to suffer from burnout. 

• Have a little fun.  Ok, the end of the year is crunchtime for all of us. But taking a few minutes to provide a little stress relief can go a long way. Host a cookie day and give your team a chance to bring in some treats to be shared together. Start a decorating contest to see which group has the most holiday spirit. Maybe you have a creative, fun-loving group that would enjoy an impromptu singing contest at lunch — who can hit the notes and fill the group with cheer? Taking a break and sharing some laughs together is a great way to not only bond, but to reduce stress at the same time. 

• Look to the future. Schedule time to meet with your team individually and talk about the year that’s wrapping up and set goals for the year ahead. It’s a great opportunity to sit down and really listen to what’s going on, get a sense of how people are feeling, address their concerns and help understand what they want to achieve, personally and professionally, in the new year. It’s also a nice chance to catch up and check in with your team in a more personal way. That attention and dedication to your employees can be inspiring. 

The end of the year is a difficult time, with competing demands and large amounts of pressure weighing on your team at all times. Find ways to be supportive, giving and kind and you’ll make everyone, including yourself, feel a lot better. 

When you think about the year ahead, consider whether adding new members to your team is on the horizon, then resolve to contact LeadingEdge Personnel to find the best new people. We have fantastic candidates looking to make a change in 2023 and we’d be happy to introduce you! Contact LeadingEdge today and let’s boost your morale by starting the year on a strong footing.