Take a break: boost morale and emerge more productive

The last six months have been tough.

Pandemic fears and multiple lockdowns have been unpleasant, to put it euphemistically. Morale has withered. With the easing of restrictions, we took a much-needed break in the Himalayan foothills. The retreat, Atali Ganga, is a few kilometres upstream from Rishikesh.

I got a close look at how the broadly-defined hospitality industry is coming to terms with the changed world. 

1. Team Atali has implemented an efficient rotation system, serving two key purposes: First, all staff members get a chance to work and earn. Second, it ensures that staff are on-site for extended periods, minimising external contact as a Covid precaution. 
2. Attention to detail has not flagged: even with vastly reduced staffing, the service quality was high. 
3. The team feels secure about not getting infected: confidence has been instilled in the precautions and protocols.

The morale of everyone onsite was high. This was the right kind of optimism, matching the high quality of the retreat. With morale rising, I felt the break renewed my energy and made me more productive.