When life gets low, you need to go high… (morale boosts for the workplace.)

Life is long.

Sometimes, the DAY feels long, never mind “life” and when morale is at a low ebb, time drags for everyone.

This happens in every workplace at some stage, because life IS long, right? The amount of time we all spend at work in meetings, at coffee stations, on emails can take it’s toll and then there’s the whole #Brexit thing, trading may be down, pressure for delivery remains as prevalent as Boris Johnson so collectively, the clouds can gather and before you know it: “pity party” alert and the morale in your office needs some TLC.

What to do?

My thoughts:

• Do you have a vision? The vision? If so, revisit it and remind yourself and your colleagues, what you’re about & why you go to that place of work 5 days a week. If you haven’t got a vision – stop waiting for one to be handed to you and DO something about it. Get one!
• Talk, connect, speak – when morale is low, the need to communicate is more important than ever. Find out how people are feeling and why? Air the feelings, capture them, pinpoint the what & why. You need a starting point, and this is it.
• Have some fun. It matters and what’s fun for one team, isn’t necessarily fun for another so ask, seek advice, plan or do something spontaneous that’s inclusive and just go have some fun. 10 mins or an hour – you know your people and what will speak to them, so bring some fun into the office. Literally.
• Own it. If you’ve identified morale has receded, my guess IS: you’re not the only one. Denial is for another place and time and for something THIS important, I genuinely believe it needs to be owned, acknowledged – we’re all adults (ish) so just be real about it and have the open, respectful conversations needed to turn it, on its head.
• Make small changes. It’s the little things! From decent quality tea bags and a selection of lollipops to a team meeting outside with an ice cream or a coffee machine that always breaks down, being replaced or fixed. People sweat the small stuff, but they also SPOT it. Low cost things that make a difference to people’s day will always be appreciated – 40 mins self-development time, an inspirational team TED talk or a “thank you, now finish 30 mins early” farewell to the day. It counts and will be counted.
• Find inspiration. As a people Manager or a colleague, it’s on you! It really is. We all must take responsibility for the environment we create, but as leaders it starts with us. Find your own inspiration and get a wee bit energized, then pass this on! Encourage, recognize, reward and shout about the great work being done. So many times, it remains, the simple stuff that lifts people and THAT is totally do able.
• Do something. There’s a time for reflection. Accepted. And there’s also a time to roll up your sleeves and kick a plan into action. Whatever the plan, get it out there and get it acted on. This is truly, a way forward and invite others to join the collaboration and the ACTION plan. Commit to each other & own, how you can all, collectively and individually make a difference.

Sounds modest, cheesy and maybe too easy? Guess what – it’s achievable and necessary, because what’s the alternative?

When it’s low… take it high. The workplace needs to “work” and evolve.

So let’s be part of that.