These are heady days; with nearly full employment and wages inching upward, this vibrant economy has created opportunities that simply didn’t exist just a few years back. No longer does someone feel beholden to a job that sucks the life and soul out of them, as there are plentiful options now available.

At the heart of job satisfaction lies employee morale. Morale may seem like an intangible concept, but, on the contrary, morale is an intrinsic barometer of a company’s success. A healthy, positive morale is the fruit of a workplace where employees feel both confidence in leadership and a sense that they are valued and are growing as individuals.

As a business leader, transforming the workplace to boost employee morale and maintain a positive vibe is essential. Efforts to improve company morale can reap significant dividends, as a happy team is not only more productive but is more likely to stay put.

The Secret Ingredient: Respect 

Much is written about the various ways to jumpstart morale in the workplace. At the core of each and every suggestion lies one important trait that underpins the action: Respect. Nothing inspires another human being more than the sense that they are valued and respected. By keeping respect at the center of all morale-building efforts, the efficacy of each effort is greatly enhanced.

People can sniff out insincerity, however. Workers can sense if they are being manipulated by leaders to simply amp up productivity under the guise of an inauthentic quest to build morale that benefits the few. Ensure that each program, incentive, or team-building idea contains the fundamental essence of respect and you will see your workplace morale spike.

Here are five exercises to boost company morale:

1.     Define a shared mission. Employees do extraordinary things when they can see the mission of a company and, more than that, own it—That’s what I call creating a company charter. A document that is very much alive in the day-to-day operation that clearly articulates the commitment of the organization, its people and its stakeholders. Once created, share with all employees the vision and the goals, and describe how each person will be an important aspect of achieving success. This creates a sense of being valued, as an asset or essential resource intrinsically tied to meeting the objectives of the company.

2.     Promote from within. Employees are buoyed when they witness people rising from within the ranks. Seeing a pathway to advancement is hugely motivating, and has a significant impact on company morale. Identify your superstars and invest in their growth and development through specialized training, preparing them for advancement. Internal promotions will underscore the sense that the employee is valued, respected, and worth investing in.

3.     Change things up. Sheer boredom can have a negative effect on employee morale. The 9-5 work life can be excruciatingly predictable, causing malaise and apathy to creep in. By occasionally changing it up, managers can inspire new bursts of energy and productivity. Take that weekly team meeting outside and provide appetizers and freshly brewed iced tea. Meet up mid-day for a 15-minute brisk walk to rev up energy and get some vitamin D. Get creative.

4.     Recognize efforts. Nothing boosts morale like a pat on the back. Too often, management is too busy to acknowledge the hard work of their team members, and that is a mistake. Make the effort to recognize someone’s amazing project at the next meeting. One practice we followed religiously was at each company-wide meeting, after reading our company charter, we reserved time for people to highlight one person that helped them or made a difference that week. The results were mind-blowing. People felt honored, loved, and deeply appreciated. A simple exercise that changes everything.

5.     Have some fun. Employee morale gets a big boost from extracurricular events that are not only enjoyable for them and their family members, but allow them to interact and foster friendships outside of the more serious office environment. Plan a beach barbeque, a company picnic, a bowling night, or a community volunteering opportunity. Companies reap the intangible benefits that result from the crew’s camaraderie and bonding, with lower turnover and higher workplace engagement.

Maintaining a healthy workplace morale that is rooted in respect is a key ingredient to an organization’s sustained superior success. Make company morale a priority and see how it positively impacts both work culture and overall productivity.

Interesting in learning more about how you can transform your company culture with Legacy Transformational Consulting‘s proven methodology? Get in touch below.