Low morale in the workplace is an all too common occurrence these days thanks to the pressure and fear employees are feeling from the economic crisis. Eileen Chadnick, a career expert and columnist for the Globe and Mail, offers some good advice in her column on how to build a more appreciative culture.
We’ve listed four of her tips and added our own best practices. To read Eileen's full column click here.
1. Positive generates positive
Create a positive environment for your colleagues and team by demonstrating positive behaviours. Offer to help a colleague you know is swamped with work, rally your team with positive encouragement to complete a project, and bring a good attitude to the office. As Eileen asserts, "…if your team models positive, affirming behaviour, it will attract positive behaviour in others."
2. Tap the power of thank you
Take the time and opportunity to thank those you work with for their help and contributions, not only to your team, but to the organization as a whole. Research shows that people will work harder and more passionately for a manager that openly communicates their appreciation.
3. Recognize people, not tasks
This our favourite tip from Eileen! We strongly believe that recognition only works when it is specific, immediate and meaningful to the person. If the recipient does not know what the recognition is for or receives the recognition weeks later, how can they repeat the positive behaviour that garnered the recognition in the first place?
4. Celebrate success
We couldn’t agree more. Celebrating accomplishments and milestones achieved will boost morale and help create an aligned and motivated workforce. Celebrations can range from department lunches and anniversary ceremonies to public announcements during meetings. In the words of Eileen, “The key is to meaningfully pause, note and acknowledge”.
