Monday blues are one thing, but low staff morale is quite another. While one relates to staff feeling sad to see their weekend go, the other leads to a downfall in productivity, output, and employee engagement. In other words – dire consequences.
So why do some small businesses seem to have a team that’s always energised, on the ball, and ready for the next ‘big thing’, while others are simply counting down the hours till they clock out?
You’ve come to the right place, because we’ve put together our top tips for reinvigorating your staff, removing unnecessary stress, and opening your small business up to a whole new world of opportunity.
1. Communicate
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? We all send hundreds of emails day in and day out, but be honest here: when was the last time you sat down with your team for the point of listening, rather than talking?
Having regular meetings where you open up the floor to understand the concerns of your team is the quickest way to smoothing over whatever the issue may be.
Similarly, it’s equally as important to hear from you – their leader – and hear you revisit the mission, the end game, and the why you’re all working towards in the first place. Communication is a two way street, and implementing a quick daily chat to see how things are going will make your team feel heard, appreciated, and relevant.
2. Change it up
The thing about routines is that, after a while, they grow tired, stale, and unproductive. The way out? Break it!
Have your weekly meeting in a local cafe. Or perhaps mix exercise with meetings and go for a “meeting walk” around the block with a coffee in tow. Choose to give your staff a day to brainstorm new and exciting ideas for your small business. Let them decide if they need to arrive a little late on Monday to get ready for the week ahead, or if they want to head off to the long weekend a few hours early.
Flexibility and adaptability are the key ingredients to a happy office. Give people that little bit of extra freedom to say “hey, we can discuss this over lunch”, or to decide that working from home one way a week brings fresh and new ideas – it can mean the difference between doing the ‘same old same’ day in and day out, or your small business thriving off innovation.
Just because it’s always been done a certain way, doesn’t mean it should!
3. Celebrate the victories
When everyone is head deep in big projects, late nights, and a flooded inbox, it can be hard to realise and appreciate the progress being made each day. And without progress, it can feel a little like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
Take the time to celebrate the victories – whether that’s the end of a month long project or celebrating the anniversary of your first sale. Gather your team around you, say thank you for all their hard work, and raise a glass to the wonderful things you’re achieving together. It’s not about making every day a party. It’s about taking a moment to say “we’re killing it”, and leaving your team hungry for more.
At the end of the day, the team that works together stays together…and we’re not referring to being in the same office. We’re talking about the team that shares a common goal, a common “why”, and makes a point of supporting and encouraging each other to get there. That personal touch is where the real magic happens!
