Getting Through Crunch Time: Tips to Boost Morale

Numbers are everything in today’s volatile economy. Whether we look at sales goals within a business or checkbook balancing in private life, people across the nation are worried more than ever before about money.

Unfortunately, this pervasive focus on the almighty dollar can occasionally drag leadership down as the stress of damning debt and looming deadlines becomes overbearing. In times like these, it is far too easy to forget about the intangibles. It’s much too simple to lose sight of the heart and spirit of the people you’re leading into battle and instead see only the hard data in front of you.

Rather than falling into this trap, leaders ought to make it a priority to constantly boost morale and let people know that they’re taken care of despite the hectic nature of today’s market. The good people whose work keeps the company running every day need to be reminded of their value on a regular basis, whether they admit it or not. The best way to ensure this is achieved is by scheduling regular, face-to-face meetings where performance and concerns can be discussed candidly by both parties. These one-on-one meetups accomplish two things: first, they allow any struggles or challenges on the part of the employee to be addressed and overcome rather than hanging him out to dry. Second, they allow any weaknesses or continual mistakes to be corrected by management. Web-based project management software can also help to centralize the needs and concerns of your employees.

While regular meetings are crucial to retaining and increasing morale within an organization, surprise rewards on occasion can keep people producing while reminding them of their value and worth to management. It’s easy for people to get lost in the shuffle of “crunch time” as they feel more like cogs in a machine than important contributors to the whole.

But unexpected visits, lunches, notes, and bonuses from management have been shown to increase morale far more than constant threats or punishments do, as these often have negative effects. Of course, companies running on razor-thin margins often can’t afford elaborate bonuses on a regular basis, but even simple thank-you notes can work wonders in recognizing key people within the organization.

No, there is no silver bullet to ensure the happiness and continual productivity of the valuable people within your organization. Project management software can help, but making an effort to constantly recognize performance and remind people of their value to the company can make the morale in your organization skyrocket, even in these tough economic times–and that’s a golden ticket to extreme efficiency and a fired-up sales force.