Workplace Morale: Setting and Maintaining a Motivational Tone

Sometimes when exploring a topic, the best thing to do is to consult dictionary.com. For the purposes of this examination, I thought it would be helpful to return to the basics, so I looked up the subject of this piece. Here’s the definition:

morale

noun

emotional or mental condition with respect to cheerfulness, confidence, zeal, etc., especially in the face of opposition, hardship, etc.:

the morale of the troops.

Morale, then, is the vibe of a workplace, determining whether it’s upbeat or depressing; motivating or spirit-crushing - or somewhere in between those extremes. Most employees look to their leadership (bosses, managers, executives...) to glean the feel of the workplace. They tend to match that sense in the way they work and in their on-the-job attitude. Workers with high morale put out higher quality work, are more highly engaged with their work and coworkers, suffer less work-induced stress and are more loyal employees. As a boon to an employer, companies with higher morale enjoy higher employee retention rates and are more attractive places for jobseekers to apply.

When the one in charge fails to step up and lead the team, their morale is susceptible to being dictated instead by a strong-willed coworker. This can prove detrimental to the authority of the employer as well as the collective morale of the team. Ideally, it is the employer who sets the tone, puts practices and policies in place to ensure it, models it and works tirelessly to maintain and preserve it. A cohesive morale helps a team to work more in sync, more productively, safely, and more harmoniously.

Why does morale slip?

Employees suffering from low morale act sluggish and unmotivated, lacking creative spark, and generally seem to care less about their jobs and the wellbeing of the company.

Some reasons for sagging morale may include:

• a sense of company or positional stagnation
• lack of clarity in direction or responsibility
• Inconsistency in expectations or consequences
• a change in leadership or in leadership’s priorities
• falling confidence in the company or its policies/practices

Boosting morale

Should you notice these behaviors among employees, it’s important to act quickly and decisively to nip the problem in the bud! Some recommended actions include:

• Communication - If you notice low morale, tell your employees. Just knowing that you care enough to take note will indicate that you’re willing to help them out of their slump.
• Get curious - Ask your team what issues are bringing them down. Get to the root of the problem: Is it an attitude? A lack of leadership? A sense of betrayal?
• Address as many issues as possible. Once you’re aware of how your employees are feeling and the effect it’s having on their morale, you can get busy making adjustments to improve the situation.
• Shore up your consistency and fairness policies. While you’re introspectively examining your interpersonal relationships with employees, now is an opportune time to do some proactive damage control. Make certain your policies are indeed as consistent and fair across the board as they should be. This will help you avoid a possible morale dip in the future.
• Resolve to make extra effort to recognize and reward employees - Employees who feel recognized and who are rewarded for their work automatically experience higher job satisfaction and will be less likely to fall victim to slipping morale.

Workplace morale is an important indicator of the health of your business. Focusing on it is an effective way to increase everything from your company’s productivity to its attractiveness to potential employees. Making morale a priority will ensure a company culture that operates as a well-tuned machine, with precision and ease.

How do you detect and maintain your workplace’s morale?