Chances are that in the run-up to Christmas, your team is in pretty good spirits. The office Christmas party is just around the corner and we’re all about to get some much-needed time off so it’s not surprising that we’ve all got a spring in our step.
If your workplace isn’t always such a happy place to be and you’re particularly dreading the January blues and how they’re going to affect employee motivation, below are some great tips for creating a workforce that stays engaged all year round.
Hire happy people
They say to choose who you keep for company wisely and there’s absolutely no reason why this shouldn’t apply to your professional life as well as your personal life.
When interviewing, pay extra special attention to how a candidate made you feel. Did you walk out feeling positive and optimistic or did you feel a bit deflated even though they seemed perfectly qualified for the job? Enthusiastic people will naturally bring us up whereas people that bring doom and gloom will kill productivity and motivation.
Next time you’re hiring, make a note of how often the person you’re interviewing laughed or smiled and if you think they’re capable of building nurturing relationships with others in the company.
Give praise and recognition
Nothing saps motivation quicker than feeling unappreciated. It is in fact, one of the most common reasons people quit their jobs so make sure you take the time to provide regular feedback or impromptu praise.
Break routines
Routine can help us to thrive but it can also really drain motivation. Most people will appreciate knowing what’s expected of them on a day-to-day basis but if your staff are coming in and doing the same thing day in, day out and can pretty much predict their day down to the exact time they’ll make themselves a cup of tea, it won’t hurt to inject a bit of spontaneity every once in a while.
Grab your team and take them out for lunch, have your Monday morning meeting in a coffee shop instead of the office or introduce some new incentives or benefits. Allowing staff to connect with co-workers on a more personal level is also a great way to encourage people to bond with each other and we all know how much more enjoyable work is when we get on with everyone there.
Encourage a good work-life balance
Technology has made it almost impossible for us to switch off from work and this is having a huge impact on happiness and productivity.
There may be times when people need to put in longer hours than usual or someone is worried about a certain project so may check their emails in the evenings but if you know someone is regularly struggling to switch off from work, talk to them about it. Maybe they have too much to do or they feel like they need to impress you. Either way, employees should be made to feel that they’re entitled to a life away from work and they shouldn’t feel guilty about it.
Do you have any tips for creating a happy and motivated workplace? Feel free to share your thoughts with us below.
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