Happy employees are better employees.
Boosting morale in the workplace can be challenging, especially during challenging times. There are ways, however, to boost morale that are both economical and feasible. What makes employees satisfied in their jobs may surprise some managers, and may be why the monthly ice cream social you concocted isn't working. In a 2010 survey of the top five best agencies to work for in the federal government, the number one driver of job satisfaction was effective leadership with senior leaders. The second was a job that was suited to the employee's skills. With these top factors in mind, managers can begin to consider what boosting morale is really about.
Put Effective Leaders in Place
Leadership isn't about handing out orders. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Good leaders are good communicators. They know when to step back and listen to what employees are REALLY saying. The work doesn't stop here. Listening isn't effective if you don't take action to correct the problems you have learned about. There are ten traits that effective leaders have. They have integrity, initiating honest dealings with predictable results. Good leaders are dedicated and always give credit where credit is due. A good leader also has humility, knowing that he is no better than the rest of the team. Openness and transparency are highly regarded in a leader as well as creativity. Good leaders know be fair. They are also creative and implement creative solutions to problems. Finally, a good leader has a sense of humor, especially vital in tense situations.
Implement an Employee Survey for Feedback
Implement an employee survey of job satisfaction. Find out what employees are really thinking! Do your homework. When you get the results, pour yourself some coffee and put on your armor. The truth can be a bit overwhelming, but if you're truly committed as a manager, you'll hear every word and then form an action plan for fixing as much as possible. Once you form the plan, roll it out to employees for more feedback. Explain the plan and why you're making these choices. Ask for their support in the changes and assure them that you will be there to hear their feedback.
Communicate One on One with Employees
Job satisfaction is often dependent on job suitability. Although an employee may be fairly effective in her job, it may not be her dream job or why she took the position in the first place. Is your human resources manager a super public relations person or would he actually prefer less interaction with people and more interaction with numbers? It's possible to place job duties with the people who will really enjoy them and shine doing them. Nothing boosts morale like a job you truly like doing. A little evaluation of who's doing what can go a long way toward boosting employee morale.
