engagement

How to Get Motivated

By in Learning, Living Well Tags: , ,

Motivated_Employee

There may be times when you don’t feel motivated at work. You may not feel excited about the projects that you’re working on or engaged in your tasks. And that may make it harder for you to focus, be productive, and get things done.

If you find yourself in this type of situation, don’t blame yourself. Just because you feel unmotivated, this doesn’t mean that you’re a bad employee or a lazy person. It also doesn’t mean that you need to start looking for a new job. According to author Ashley Stahl, there are things you can do to feel more excited and motivated about your work, including the following:

  • Try something new – Ask your manager if you can change your role to better align with your interests, or ask to take on a new project that interests you. Do what you can to shift your efforts onto tasks that make you feel enthusiastic and engaged.
  •  Learn something new – Learn a new skill. (Make sure it’s something that interests you!) This will help to make you feel more engaged at work. In addition, your manager will most likely be impressed with your efforts, and you will become a more knowledgeable, valuable employee.
  • Get some feedback – You may not be sure how to branch out at work or what types of tasks would make you feel more motivated and engaged. If you’re not sure what path to take, talk to your manager and ask them what they think your strengths are. How do they think you best contribute to your organization? It may be a good idea to focus on those areas, knowing that this type of work is needed and valuable.
  • Think about the importance of your work – It’s essential to regularly remind yourself that your work is important. Think about all of the people that have been helped due to your efforts! You make a difference, every day. Remember that.
  • Take a break – Use your vacation days. Taking a break from your job can help you to relax and recharge. And it will allow you to return to work feeling more energized and motivated to get work done.

Stahl, A. (2016, November 22). Seven ways to get motivated at work. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2016/11/22/seven-ways-to-get-motivated-at-work/?sh=276cb0223cd5

The Importance of Keeping in Touch

By in Communication Tags: , , ,

Connecting_With_Coworkers

When the pandemic started and employees were sent home to work, no one knew what effect this would have on the quality and quantity of work that was produced. But according to a recent survey of 100 executives by McKinsey & Company (conducted between December 2020 and January 2021), it appears that productivity and employee engagement actually increased in most organizations during the pandemic.

The amount that it increased, however, seemed to be directly related to how much employees communicated with each other. The biggest jumps in productivity and engagement occurred in those companies that encouraged colleagues to talk to each other, share ideas, discuss projects, coach each other, and solve problems together.

From Case What Executives Are Saying About the Future of Work by A. Alexander, R. Cracknell, A.D. Smet, M. Langstaff, M. Mysore, and D. Rand, 2021, McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/what-executives-are-saying-about-the-future-of-hybrid-work

So communication is important. It was important when most employees were working from home, and it’s still important now, with many employees splitting their time between working in the office and working from home. Managers and employees should make an effort to maintain a high level of communication. It’s essential for an effective, productive work environment.

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Alexander, A., Cracknell, R., Smet, A. D., Langstaff, M., Mysore, M., & Ravid, D. (2021). What executives are saying about the future of work. McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/what-executives-are-saying-about-the-future-of-hybrid-work

Kindness at the Office

By in Living Well Tags: , ,

happy man bringing coffee to woman in office

In many organizations, employees are encouraged to be aggressive and competitive in order to be successful and “get ahead” at work. It’s believed that having a competitive spirit makes employees more productive and engaged. In truth, however, research has indicated that kindness – and not competitiveness – is a much more essential quality. The best workplaces are those that encourage employees to look out for each other and help each other to succeed.

A recent study at the University of California looked at the effect that small acts of kindness can have on a group of coworkers. They enlisted 19 employees to each perform five acts of kindness over four weeks. They were mostly small gestures, like getting another employee a cup of coffee or recognizing something that a coworker had done by sending a thank-you email.

You might not think that this would have much of an impact. But researchers found that these small acts of kindness had far-reaching effects. All of the employees involved in the study felt a greater sense of camaraderie and well-being. Employees felt happier and more satisfied with their work. And those who had been on the receiving end of an act of kindness started acting kinder to the people around them. The kindness turned out to be contagious. And it resulted in the creation of a more effective, engaging, productive work environment.

So even if you’re feeling tired or frustrated at work, try not to take it out on your coworkers (even if they’ve contributed to your frustration!). Try to be kind to yourself and the people around you. You and your coworkers will all benefit from it.

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Agarwal, P. (2019, August 26). Making kindness a priority in the workplace. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pragyaagarwaleurope/2019/08/26/making-kindness-a-priority-in-the-workplace/#4aed4dfb38f4

The Problem With Being Too Engaged at Work

By in Learning Tags: ,

Tired female employee suffer from headache at workplace

Have you ever heard of having “too much of a good thing”? For instance, eating one delicious piece of chocolate cake is great. But eating twenty slices would probably make you feel sick.

Well, the same is true of work engagement. We all know that it’s good to be engaged at work. People who feel engaged try harder. They’re more motivated, upbeat, and productive. But surprisingly, researchers have found that it’s actually possible to be too engaged at work. And people who are too engaged tend to be less than stellar employees.

People who are too engaged see their work as “a calling.” It’s their purpose. They feel like they must do their work their way, even if they’re asked to do things differently. They’re often unwilling to compromise or work with others. And they don’t have a lot of respect for authority.

As a result, these highly engaged people can be difficult to manage and hard to work with. This problem can get worse over time, and the quality of their work can suffer.

These highly engaged people may also experience problems in their personal lives. Researchers have found that they’re more likely to feel stressed at work. And they’re also more likely to take their work frustrations home with them, and possibly take it out on their friends and family members.

So what should be done to alleviate this problem? Some researchers suggest that managers should ease up on their efforts to engage employees. Instead of trying to enhance engagement in their entire department, managers should focus their attention on boosting engagement in detached employees only.

And even though it can be difficult, managers should talk to overly engaged employees about their behavior, and try to come up with ways to make the situation better. It’s hard to deliver negative feedback, but it can be very beneficial.   

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Dizik, A. (2019, August 12). The problem with very engaged employees. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/beware-of-employees-who-are-very-engaged-in-their-work-11565575620

Is Your Organization Compassionate? Take This Quiz and Find Out!

By in Living Well Tags: , , , ,

Close up hands giving colorful yarn heart handmade. Valentine da

Compassionate organizations tend to be more successful. When employees feel like they have their company’s support when they’re going through a difficult time, they feel safe and secure. They’re more willing to admit to mistakes and work as a team to find a solution. They’re more creative and innovative, because they know they won’t be punished if a new idea doesn’t work out as planned. And they tend to be more loyal, productive, and engaged in their work.

So would you describe your organization as compassionate? Do the people in your company behave in a kind and caring manner? Or is your workplace a little more disengaged?

The CompassionLab at the University of Michigan and the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley created an online quiz that will help you to answer these questions. Click the link below to take the quiz! After answering the questions, you’ll receive a score that will tell you how compassionate your organization is. You’ll also be provided with some tips on how to make your office a more caring, supportive place.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/compassionate_organizations

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Suttie, J. (2017, March 17). How to awaken compassion at work. Greater Goods Magazine. Retrieved from: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_awaken_compassion_at_work

How to Capture an Audience’s Attention

By in Communication Tags: ,

Radiant millennial employee preparing presentation in office

When giving a presentation, you want to capture and hold your audience’s attention. But it can sometimes be hard to appeal to everyone. Most of the time, your audience will be comprised of a diverse group of people. You’ll have extroverts who love to express their opinions. You’ll have analytical people who wish you would stick to the facts. And you’ll have people who only get engaged when the focus is on personal stories, feelings, and relationships. How can you please them all?

According to author Dana Dupuis, it is possible to cover all the bases and connect with your entire audience. To do so, she suggests that you include the following elements in your presentation:

  • Data – Start your presentation with some statistics, charts, or figures. You don’t need to linger over them. You just need to show your audience some hard data. Without it, you’ll lose your analytical people before the presentation really gets started.
  • Stories – Tell your audience a relevant story. It could be about yourself or about other people that you’ve encountered in your life. Stories are compelling, and they should help to capture the attention of a large portion of your audience. (And if you can weave some facts and figures into your story, that’s even better! Your story will become even more relevant and compelling.)
  • A focus on benefits – Make sure to talk about how your presentation information can benefit your audience. Why should they listen or care? How can it help them? You need to make this clear in order to keep your audience engaged.
  • Open-ended questions – During your presentation, you should periodically ask your audience open-ended questions. (These are the kind of questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” to answer.) This will give the people who love to participate a chance to voice their thoughts and opinions. And it will help to make your entire presentation more relevant, engaging, and interactive.

 

Dupuis, D. (2019). Shhhh! Listen. Talent Development, 73(2), 65-68.

Learn From Your Dog

By in Living Well Tags: , ,

Cute_dog

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the many things that cats can teach us. By following their furry lead, you can be both happier and more successful at work.

Now I think it’s time to turn our attention to dogs. Dogs are the best! They’re loving, loyal bundles of joy. My parents’ dog, Max, is such a sweetie. He’s noisy and kind of high-maintenance, but he has such a good heart. And even though he’s not as wise or crafty as a cat, I think Max still has much to teach us about how to be a happy, productive employee.

Here’s what you can learn from your dog…

  1. Be a team player – Dogs are pack animals. They love to be around the people and animals that they care about. They’re social, they look out for their pack, and they work together to get things done. You should try to do the same when you’re at the office! It’s great if you have the ability to work independently. But it’s also important to be able to work with your fellow employees, when necessary. Try to listen to what they have to say, be open to their ideas, and help them when they need it.
  2. Don’t hold grudges – Dogs don’t hold grudges. They might occasionally feel hurt or angry, but it doesn’t tend to last. They have a wonderfully forgiving nature and they’re really resilient. Try to follow their lead. If someone upsets you at work, you can talk to that person about it if you feel like it’s necessary. But after that, try to let it go. If you hold a grudge, you’ll use up a lot of energy and probably end up upsetting yourself more than the other person.
  3. Stay focused on the present – Dogs really live in the present. They’re completely focused on whatever is happening at the moment, and they get so much joy from everyday things. I think this seems like a good way to approach work. Try not to worry too much about what’s happened in the past or the events that are coming up in the future. Focus on the present and the tasks that you need to finish today. And take time to enjoy the fun things that might be happening around you. You don’t want to miss out on the good stuff!
  4. Be dependable – Dogs are there for you. And you should be there for your coworkers! Be dependable at work. Your manager and teammates will really appreciate it.

 

Gisonni, D. (2014, July 8). 10 things dogs teach us about what matters most. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/debbie-gisonni/lessons-from-dogs_b_5556867.html

 

The One Thing That’s So Important for Managers to Do

By in Leadership Tags: ,

Thanking_Employee

Studies have shown that one of the most effective ways for managers to improve employee morale, increase productivity, and boost employee retention is by expressing gratitude. Employees want confirmation that they’re doing a good job. They want to know that their efforts have been noticed and appreciated.

Expressing gratitude in the workplace makes employees feel more valued and confident. It strengthens relationships. And studies show that employees who feel appreciated work harder and longer.

So how should you express your gratitude? Author Amy Vetter has a few suggestions:

  1. Write a thank-you note – Sending a thank-you email is certainly a nice thing to do. But Vetter suggests taking it a step further and writing a thank-you note. A hand-written note takes more time and effort to produce, so the gesture will mean more.
  2. Recognize milestones – If your team finishes a big project or meets a significant goal, you should celebrate! Group activities (like an escape room or painting party) are a great way for your employees to bond, blow off steam, and have fun.
  3. Learn about your employees – Take the time to chat with your employees. Talk to them about their lives and their experiences. Your employees will appreciate the fact that you want to get to know them, and that you care about what’s going on in their world.
  4. Take them out for coffee – Take your employees to a coffee shop, treat them to a coffee, and ask them their opinion about current projects or initiatives. They’ll appreciate your interest and feel flattered that you value their input.
  5. Acknowledge their efforts in front of other people – During meetings, take the time to praise employees who are doing good work. You don’t need to make a big production out of it. Just saying a few words about what they’ve accomplished can make your employees feel recognized and appreciated.

 

Vetter, A. (2017, December 20). Want to win the hearts and minds of your employees? Do this 1 simple thing. Inc. Retrieved from: https://www.inc.com/amy-vetter/want-to-win-hearts-minds-of-your-employees-do-this-1-simple-thing.html

 

How to Make Staff Meetings Less Boring

By in Leadership, Learning Tags: , ,

Boring_Meeting

Weekly staff meetings exist for a reason. It’s important for employees to be updated on the work that’s being done by their coworkers. Projects can often overlap, so it’s good to know about the processes that people are using and the progress that they’ve made.

But unfortunately, staff meetings also tend to be mind-numbingly dull. They’re generally long and repetitive, as each person provides a (sometimes lengthy) progress report. Occasionally there’s a new and interesting tidbit of information. But for the most part, the information that’s provided tends to be pretty monotonous and very similar to what was reported last week.

So what can be done to make staff meetings more engaging and less sleep-inducing? Author Alison Davis claims that you need to break the cycle of having one employee after another reporting on his or her progress. She recommends that meeting organizers try out new approaches and techniques, and she provides the following suggestions:

  • Set some time limits – Don’t let people talk for an unlimited amount of time. Instead, tell employees that they each have one minute to provide their progress reports. Instituting a time limit will prevent the talkative people in the group from dominating the meeting and boring the rest of the attendees.
  • Less reporting, more brainstorming – Don’t spend the whole meeting on progress reports. Instead, try asking the group questions about the challenges that your team is currently facing, and allow everyone to brainstorm about possible solutions.
  • Change the venue – Do you always meet in the same conference room? If so, stir things up by changing the location. Meet outside if the weather is nice, or go to a café if it’s cold. The change of scenery will help to keep employees interested and alert.
  • Get crafty – OK, I’m not so sure about this last idea. But Davis suggests that employees make posters about team initiatives or priorities using markers, old magazines, glue sticks, etc. I think this could possibly be a fun activity, as long as it was presented as a fun, goofy, team-building activity. But you probably wouldn’t want to plan these types of activities too often. If you did, I think people might feel like their time is being wasted.

 

Davis, A. (2017, November 20). Boring staff meetings? Do this 1 thing to improve every meeting from now on. Inc. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/alison-davis/boring-staff-meetings-do-this-1-thing-to-improve-every-meeting-from-now-on.html

 

Want to Be a Great Leader? Do These Seven Things.

By in Leadership Tags: , ,

Leadership

Effective leadership is so important. Research has shown it’s associated with high morale, peak performance, and successful outcomes. Effective leaders guide, motivate, support, and empower the people that they manage. It’s not an easy task, but it’s an essential one.

Leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed. But if you’re new to your leadership position, it can be difficult to know where to begin. You’d like to motivate and engage your employees, but how should you go about doing it? According to author Marcel Schwantes, you should focus on these seven things:

  1. Give your employees a sense of purpose – Regularly remind your employees that the work they do is important and makes a difference in people’s lives. People tend to feel more creative, focused, and positive about their work if they feel like it has real purpose.
  2. Show that you care – You need to gain your employees’ trust and respect by putting their needs before your own, and helping out however you can. Employees who feel like their manager treats them fairly and cares about their concerns are more productive and dedicated to their work.
  3. Make the workplace a positive environment – Don’t try to scare your employees into doing what you want. Create an environment in which people feel safe. You want your employees to feel like they can take risks, and openly share their ideas and opinions.
  4. Be clear about what you expect – Your employees should know exactly what you expect them to do. Be clear and consistent in your message and provide clarification if necessary.
  5. Offer rewards – If your employees successfully meet (or exceed) your expectations, reward them. It’s very motivating!
  6. Help your employees to develop their skills – Take the time to guide and support your employees. Answer their questions and give them advice when they ask for it. Although coaching takes effort, it’s worth it. It will help your employees to be more effective and productive.
  7. Empower your employees – Trust in the skills and knowledge that they bring to the table. And allow them to make their own decisions. They’ll realize that you view them as valuable and respected members of the team, and they’ll feel more engaged and invested in their work.

 

Schwantes, M. (2017, May 9). How do you know someone is an exceptional leader? Look for any of these 7 signs. Inc. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/how-do-you-know-someone-is-an-exceptional-leader-look-for-any-of-these-8-signs.html?cid=hmmore

 

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