CHARLESTON, S.C.–Every credit union leader has not just the logistical and balance sheet challenges to juggle from the coronavirus pandemic; there are also employee morale issues to juggle.
But employees’ spirits can be buoyed through communication and other strategies, according to John Turner, founder of SeedProd. Writing on Inc.com, Turner said there are a number of ways to make team members feel like they are more than just a team, but a family.
Among the strategies recommended by Turner:
Make Communication a Priority
“It's hard for your employees to keep their spirits up when they don't hear from you. We often hear that no news is good news. While that saying might be true for other situations, work does not fall into this category,” wrote Turner. “Your team expects you to communicate goals, give them performance evaluations and share general feedback along the way. Without this information, it's easy to slip into a state of uncertainty, which is harmful to building positive morale.”
Turner said it’s also crucial that leaders hold weekly meetings with their teams. Use this time to listen to their concerns, answer questions and give them updates on new things happening within the company.
“This tip holds water whether you work remotely or in an office building. Communicating with your employees can reverse damaged morale and resolve uncertainty,” Turner said.
Allow for Individual Recognition in a Group Setting
Another problem employees face, especially in a remote environment, is they feel like their work isn't properly recognized, Turner said.
“There are several reasons for this trend. The most important reason is that most businesses don't allow for praise in a group setting, Turner wrote. “If you want to allow for more recognition from your remote office, you could create a separate channel on the chat program your team uses and dedicate it to praise from employers to employees, as well as peer-to-peer recognition.
“Allowing your team to communicate through these channels will boost morale and make team members feel like they are part of a big family.”
Find Ways to Help Employees Grow
“We all want to grow and learn more about our industry. Your staff is no exception to this rule. Encouraging employee growth is another great way to skyrocket morale at the office,” observed Turner. “There's no path set in stone since business interests and education outlets vary greatly. However, there are steps you can take to encourage employee growth. For instance, you could look at the latest online classes in your industry or get your team an account on an LMS site with lessons relevant to their jobs.”
Turner noted it’s also a good idea to encourage team members to help each other grow.
“Holding internal webinars where people from different departments explain their techniques can help your team understand their roles in the company and help them grow,” Turner wrote. “You take it a step further by hosting quarterly workshops where employees can gather, share ideas, give presentations and learn from one another. The sense of community that comes along with these events is great for morale and can give your team some time to relax and listen to their peers. Feel free to break up the presentations with games and activities to keep your team engaged in the process.”