We’re not going to sugar coat it – keeping up morale these days is tough! You can’t take out the team for lunch or meet up for drinks after work. On top of that, everyone is even more stressed than normal so boosting morale is even more important than ever.
Use these tips for some simple ideas on boosting morale in the virtual workplace.
Have Regular Check-Ins
And by regular – we mean regular! You should be checking in weekly at the least, if not daily. This allows everyone to be on the same page and ensures your projects are on track. One popular way to do this is the 5 Minute Daily Standup. Here’s how it works:
1. Everyone in the meeting stands up and forms a circle. Obviously, you can’t do this in a virtual workplace, but encourage your team to stand with you while you are on the phone. Standing is very important because it keeps everyone on track and only focused on the essential.
2. Everyone is the meeting goes around and answers the following questions:
a. What did you do yesterday?
b. What will you do today?
c. What is getting in your way?
The point of these meetings is to be an efficient and collaborative progress check-in.
Ask for Feedback Regularly
Find out how your team feels about the work they are doing. If they hate it – that doesn’t mean you have to change what they are doing. Instead, use it as an opportunity to provide perspective or see if you can alleviate some of their concerns around the project. You can’t make things better if you don’t really know what’s going on.
Send an Encouraging Note or Phone Call
Let your team members know they are doing well. Let them know you recognize their hard work, especially during difficult times. If an employee is struggling, take some time to write words of encouragement that will help boost their morale. If you give them a call to say this, actually listen to what they say in response.
Compliment Employees in Front of Their Peers
If someone on your team does a great job on a project, make sure they know it. But also make sure the rest of your team knows it too. Look for opportunities to praise everyone on your team. It will let them know their work is noticed and appreciated.
Check-in On Them and Their Loved Ones
It’s a LOT easier to ask about someone’s personal life when you see them in person. It’s much easier to forget when you don’t see their body language. Don’t pry – just let your employees know you care about them and their current situation. Make sure they and their loved ones are cared for and are in your thoughts.
Take Some Time to Share Something Funny or Hopeful
This can be a sensitive line to walk, but if you are able to pull it off – share something funny with your team. Perhaps it’s something industry-related or a silly animal photo you found. Just make sure you avoid anything inappropriate (that includes politics, race and religion).
With these simple tips, you are well on your way to improving workplace morale. Contact us to learn more about how Predictive Index can help you leverage these tips to boost morale more effectively.
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