I promise I am not trying to be Gillette

I do a lot of research as part of my business, and recently, I have been reading the latest copy of the Workplace Report, published by Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report—Gallup.

As a management trainer, I am keen on understanding how we can improve the training and?remain current and up to date, ensuring that Managers have the best possible opportunities to manage their teams.

At the risk of sounding like the Gillette for Men advert, my mission is to equip leaders and managers with the strategies, tools, and skills that enable them to create a positive and productive team culture that puts rewarding experiences at its heart.

I sat down with a cuppa and a piece of my favourite dark chocolate to digest the information. ??One of the most shocking statistics is that $8.9 trillion is lost in global GDP due to low engagement in our workforce. In addition, the issue of Burnout remains a concern for many businesses and individuals.?I know I have experienced Burnout, where my passion for my business and more than a passing dalliance with Covid have left me feeling depleted over the last two years.

The Gallup poll reported that employee stress is still high, which is hardly surprising given the state of the world.

Stress is not only associated with physical and mental health problems but there are also links to lower productivity and performance.

So, in true Tracy-Anne style, I wanted to share my thoughts and tips on how you and your team can navigate stress and potential Burnout in the workplace.

1.???? Flexibility — Supporting flexible working options can really help your team find a work-life balance, which in turn supports their mental and physical health.

Working from home when the schedule allows flexitime and opportunities for regular breaks.

2.???? Communication — Having a culture of open communication is so important. It encourages your team to speak up if they have too much work or are struggling and to speak out if they are experiencing bullying or harassment.

3.???? Monitor and assess workloads. Ensure that everyone is working within their hours. Working longer hours trying to achieve unattainable goals is a one-way ticket to Burnout.

4.???? Training — It sounds obvious, but ensuring that your team is educated is one of the best ways of avoiding mental health problems. Give the team the tools to do their job and also support them in keeping themselves mentally and physically fit.

Mental Health training and awareness can help the team support each other by recognizing the signs of stress and Burnout and ensuring that they take steps to protect themselves.

5.???? Feedback — I just love this one. Sitting with your team and sharing feedback is one of the best parts of being a manager. Short and regular sessions are a great option if you can manage them into your schedule so that you can identify any issues or challenges at an early stage.

6.???? Autonomy — Micromanaging your stuff starves them of the ability to be creative. Allowing autonomy (within reason) adds purpose and accountability.

This drives us and makes us feel happy and fulfilled, enhancing motivation.

7.???? Credit where it is due — Rewarding staff for a job well done can be as simple as giving a heartfelt thanks or as elaborate as a bunch of flowers or a voucher for a show. The gesture needs to be genuine and clear.

8.???? Negative feedback – this one, for me, has to belong on this list. No one likes negative feedback. However, when it is given positively, it changes the message.

Telling someone they missed a deadline can be stressful. Talking to them about why and how this happened might help you understand a greater issue and help prevent it from happening again.

9.???? Encourage regular Breaks—This one applies to you, too; the power of a break cannot be underestimated. Allow time for a walk outside to feel the elements, or if you are a homeworker, some time to dust or vacuum—it doesn’t matter what the 15 minutes are used for; what matters is that just taking a break can be all you need to step back and move about.

Stress reduction leads to a happier, healthier, and more productive workplace. This could be the best ten minutes you have ever spent with your team!

I hope these tips have been helpful for you ??

I regularly share more Hacks on key management topics here on #LinkedIn, follow me to get posts straight to your inbox, each week. Or drop me a DM if you have any questions about our programmes or services.?

If you are ready to chat or have a question to ask about a management situation or need some advice, book a virtual cuppa with me at https://calendly.com/tracy-anne/chat-with-the-managers-training-co ???

We also publish a free weekly bitesize newsletter for managers and leaders in the education sector, you can register here https://themanagerstrainingcompany.co.uk/lessons-in-leadership/

Tracy-Anne is the founder of The Managers Training Company Ltd – a leading, high-quality, management training provider for educational establishments whose mission is to equip your leaders and managers with the strategies, tools, and skills that enable them to create a positive and productive team culture that puts rewarding pupil experiences at its heart. To find out more: www.themanagerstrainingcompany.co.uk??

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