1. Provide Clear Expectations
Every company should provide each employee with a job description that includes clearly defined duties and expectations. Make sure your people know exactly what they are supposed to do, how they are supposed to do it, how it relates to other jobs in the company and what kind of rewards they may receive. When employees know what is expected of them, they are more likely to accomplish it and feel good about the work they have done.
2. Give Positive Feedback
Managers are frequently busy catching people doing things incorrectly and telling them about it, destroying job morale. You need to learn to "catch people doing things right" and bring their attention to it. The more positive feedback you provide for a job well done, the more you will notice job morale and work quality continually improving. Set a goal of complimenting good work at least three times more often than pointing out bad work. It may take several months of reinforcing good behaviors before you notice a change, but it will happen if you stay positive.
3. Establish an Employee-Recognition Program
Setting up an employee-recognition program can go a long way toward boosting morale. Announce the goal and the reward employees will receive for achieving it. For example, if a sales team establishes 10 new accounts in one week, you will throw a lunchtime pizza party the following Monday. You can provide a small bonus or movie tickets for exemplary performance. Try putting the names of top performers in the company newsletter. Offer an opportunity to have lunch with the company president if the employee reaches a certain goal. Whatever forms of recognition you decide on, be sure to provide them in a timely manner, or you will hurt job morale.
4. Open the Lines of Communication
In today's work climate, employees want to know details about the company and how they contribute to its success. You should avoid sending secretive messages about the company to select employees, unless confidentiality agreements require you to do so. Your people want to know what is happening in the company, and can become suspicious of hidden agendas and messages, no matter how harmless they may seem. Ask for employee input and actively listen to what each employee has to say about the company.
5. Provide Training
Empower employees to perform their jobs at the highest levels possible. Use mentoring, seminars, formal education and certification courses to help employees build job skills, increase confidence and improve individual performance. As individuals perform better, the company performs better and becomes more profitable. When employees move up in the company, always provide the training necessary for the employee to succeed in the new position. With increased knowledge and skills, employees feel more confident and have more positive attitudes.
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