We’re nearly halfway through the year and your team’s energy might be dipping a bit. While a summer vacay might provide a small energy boost, there’s still plenty of year left, and you’ll want to make sure that your team is going to be motivated to finish it off strong.
As a business owner and digital marketing consultant, I understand the challenges that come with building a successful business – especially for a startup. It takes a lot of hard work and time, and even the best team members can get burned out.
As a business owner and team leader, you’ll need to have the sensitivity to notice when your team is tired and in need of some motivation. Reinvigorating some life into the workplace can help to improve results and enhance the workplace culture.
If you’re in need of a boost to team morale, consider the following 5 tips.
1. The teams that bond together, work best together.
In the digital world and with many startups, team members may work remotely. This usually means there’s not a lot of opportunities to work together and build that sense of team unity.
A simple bonding session, like a team lunch or get-together, can provide some much needed face-to-face time. These in-person meetings allow for the flow of ideas, concerns, and just a general opportunity to connect.
Team leaders need to be able to create these moments and foster work relationships amongst their team members. It’s amazing how much of an energy boost some face-to-face time can provide.
2. Recognize small victories and success.
A couple of positive words – especially from a team leader – can have a truly invigorating effect on employee morale. This can be especially true if the previous weeks/months have been particularly brutal on your team.
But you shouldn’t hand out empty platitudes to boost egos. Recognize real, meaningful accomplishments that highlight your appreciation for your team’s work and ideas. And if you have reached any milestones in sales or revenue, celebrate it with your team.
A little bit of recognition can motivate individuals and teams alike.
3. Keep employees engaged through learning opportunities.
Dedicated team members are generally eager to learn and improve their skills. When you really think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Employees are usually happy to develop their abilities because it increases the likelihood of long-term personal and professional success.
Show your employees that you are actually concerned about their future – and willing to help them grow – by providing them the opportunities to attend conferences, events, or classes that can enhance their talent.
4. Get your team involved in more.
We’ve all seen those movies about the unhappy corporate worker. The one where they go into the office every workday, only to sit behind their computer and accomplish the same sets of tasks day-in and day-out. There’s no involvement. No engagement. No real motivation to push themselves harder.
You’re company SHOULDN’T run like this.
Showing that you trust your team’s judgment and value their input can get them more involved with their work than ever before. Allow them to pitch business ideas that can help the company grow. Give them the opportunity to provide input on how they can improve work efficiency.
Traditional work culture is changing and now is the time to evolve. Your employees will be grateful – and work harder – knowing their ideas matter.
5. Lead the way.
Your attitude as owner/team leader is going to set the tone for your entire staff. If you have a positive, can-do attitude, then your team members will follow suit. Show your dedication to the company and your employees, and they are bound to reciprocate.