A company is only as good as its employees. They are the lifeblood, the energy of any business. And to actually be successful, you have to take care of them. These days, employers know that if you want to get the most out of your people, you need to treat them with respect and dignity. In other words, you don’t want your employees to fear you; you want to improve their morale (and, through it, their performance). Below are some strategies and tips for improving employee morale and getting them to enjoy their jobs.
Get to know them.
The first thing you should do if you really want to improve employees’ morale is to get to know them. Of course, this is much easier when you have a more minor team than a bigger one, but the same rules apply – look at them as human beings. By actually fully understanding and accepting that they are all individuals with whole lives and experiences, it will be easier to treat them with respect. Then, you will get to know them more easily.You will find out what skills they have, what they are excited about, what they despise, and what they are bad at. This will allow you to utilize their skills better to know what tasks to delegate to them and what tasks to avoid. It can also help you understand how to train them better and help you advise them on what to focus on.
Actually, think about the perks you give
On a less personal note, invest in some recreational items in your office. A few minor changes and items can mean the world to your employees. For example, setting up your workplace with Lavazza workplace coffee machines will improve employee morale much more than the fanciest chairs, desks, and artwork. Coffee is sometimes more important than food in an office environment, and using an old, decrepit coffee maker is a continual annoyance that builds up. Also, while we do not advise you to get the most elite, royal chairs you can, investing in ergonomic furniture can mean the world to your people.And don’t just limit yourself to the office itself. Don’t get people coupons or memberships to some remote, overpriced, and overpopulated gym. Instead, maybe set up a poll to see what people would be interested in. A monthly massage may be more appreciated than most other things.
Praise in public, scold in private.
Don’t make the mistake of not calling out your employees for the errors they make. You won’t be doing them a favor, nor will you help yourself or your company. Instated, try to make them aware of their mistake, and give out some tips on how not to make it again. However, if you want to keep morale up, you must do this privately. Scolding an employee in front of the entire group will ruin the mood of the whole office. It will also make people afraid of making mistakes due to the public shame they will feel.On the other hand, always try to praise in public. If you see someone doing well, going above and beyond what is asked of them, you should tell them you appreciate this. However, try to hand out this appreciation to the rest of the staff. This will let people know that their good work will always be appreciated and will give an extra boost to the employee you praised.
Show that you actually care.
Show your employees that you actually care about them. We mentioned how you need to learn to see them as people. Well, you also need to learn to treat them that way. You need to let them know that you actually care. Remember, the little things matter the most, and the little things that employees remember.So, for example, sending out birthday cards and bonuses will always be greatly appreciated. Send out gifts for newlywed couples, as well as for new parents. You can either buy a gift for them or add a nice little bonus to their check on one specific month. In general, sending a card for any significant event in their lives while they are working for you can be greatly appreciated.
Bringing in free food is a great plus. A box of doughnuts, quality catering, or even buying everybody a meal In a restaurant once a month will get you on people’s good side and let them know they are appreciated.
Facilitate meaning
One of the most significant drains of positive emotion and motivation in any office is the feeling of being a cog inside a machine. People want to know that they matter, that their contribution actually matters. It’s a fine line you tread, a line found between working for something more significant and themselves and feeling like their contributions are miniscule. So a big part of solving this issue is making them feel like they belong, like their work matters. This all becomes more difficult the larger a company is. But there is a way you can get this under control.First, help them understand that you are all a team working for the same goal. Namely, the more productive you are, the better everybody’s situation in the company will be. Higher paychecks, more relaxed atmosphere… It’s best if you start with something pragmatic and straightforward. Let them know that everything they do matters, and explain how their job contributes to the company. Try to be honest, not condescending.
