The morale meter
"The beatings will continue until morale improves" Office Humor
Morale down? It happens to the best of organizations. When people are brought together under good leadership in support of an important mission or cause, there is naturally a lot to be motivated about. Consider a sports team at the beginning of the season, fired up to bond and grow and be a contender for the championship. Motivation and energy are high and selflessness prevails as people come together to help each other. As the season matures, the team experiences a loss or two, and personalities and personal quirks rise to the surface, morale begins to decrease. It would be nice to have a meter to gauge morale but unfortunately one does not exist. The fact is, you don't need a formal meter if you are an engaged leader.
The pulse of morale is easy to take. Knowing your people and watching them interact will tell you a lot. You'll see patience decline. You'll start to hear complaints about others in the group. Talking behind one's back may occur and you may even see signs of fatigue. Again, this is all a natural phenomenon when humans interact and teams form. It is one of the central challenges of leadership. Here is what I do when the needle of my morale meter points to the red. I punch it in the face.
As a leader, you have to address morale openly and head on. I'll take it on directly in a group meeting. "Ok, team, I noticed morale is on PTO. It is natural for friction to occur when a group of people come together behind an important cause like ours. Don't forget what makes us special - this team is what makes us special, not any one individual. Speak up please when you are experiencing friction or feel worn down. The best teams have hard conversations but they come out of them better in the end. I'm tired too but my love, respect, and confidence in each of you remains high. I think about how great we are and how we have all committed to this mission of ours, and it motivates me everyday." You can even shout out, "whose with me!" and run out of the room. That will be sure to get a laugh or two and lighten the mood. You can also change the setting. Conduct the group meeting at a different and fun location. Sometimes simply changing the scenery can do wonders. Remember, small gestures like a few words on morale, changing the scenery, thanking an individual or the team, or making a joke can go a long way.
You won't find a morale meter on the internet or next to the printer ink at the office supply store. Know your people. Look them in the eye each day. Get up close and personal and engage in some organic vulnerability. Establish and foster a fun and challenging work environment. It is these ingredients which will form your own morale meter. And when the 'check morale' light comes on, clench your fist and punch it in the face.
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell