A Better Workplace - Article: Reigniting Spirit in the Workplace

Daniel Robin & Associates

Making Workplaces Work Better

Reigniting Spirit in the Workplace

By Daniel Robin

What you pay attention to, grows. If you happen to notice everything at work that isn’t working, you’d (a) have a long list, and (b) probably have a difficult time getting out of bed in the morning. If, by contrast, you decided to look for and highlight everyone’s best intentions, you might notice your morale rising simply to meet the occasion.

And if you’ve made a hobby of cataloging reasons to be dissatisfied, you can either adopt a certain "detached concern" about things ever changing, or find an effective way to speak up about the issues. And if you’re thinking "Why speak up at all? We’d have to knock this workplace down and start over!" … may I suggest, as a friend, that you seek help or look for another job? There are only three paths here (as in life):

Yes (that means take appropriate action),

No (live with it), or

Suffer (remain attached to how things ought to be).

You decide. Now, if you just want to vent, or get people to agree with you, read "Giving Workplace Negativity a Sustainable Lift" (058.html), then get outside assistance. Work, like any relationship, needs to be fundamentally worth it.

Feeling Fulfilled at Work (or is it something I ate)?

Compared to our parents, many of us have sharply different views and probably much higher expectations for our work. TQM, participation, mission and purpose, "learning organizations" … all are relatively recent advents. To fulfill these higher expectations – and not fry in the process – work passion or spirit sometimes needs a spark. But re-ignite doesn’t mean burn out.

To affect positive change and raise morale, start by getting some perspective on your own work situation. Rate the following factors on a scale from 1 (yuck) to 10 (yes!):

Eight Tips for Building Higher Morale

The Boss and Co-workers. Research has shown that the people are a key reason for keeping or leaving a job. How do they rate, from 1-10?

Work that’s a direct expression of your values. Even more influential than payscale or hours, how’s the "fit" between you and the job?

Contribution to a worthy purpose (mission) and sense of shared vision.

Recognition such as salary & benefits, profit sharing, performance-based incentives.

Opportunities for advancement, to gain mastery, to learn.

Participation, inclusion and involvement. Participation also provides a sense of community and teamwork.

360-degree, honest communication; facts about company goals and directions, challenges, and clarification of roles and responsibilities. Tell or ask for it straight.

Job variety / cross training; flexible work processes; multiple ways to reach goals minimize the impact of roadblocks, conflicts, or downtime.

Pick the lowest few factors and consider what actions or resources would help. Even if you’re only mildly dissatisfied with your work, what differentiates you from someone banging their head against the "bathtub of boredom" is your attention and passionate commitment to doing something about it.

Truly raising morale sustainably or by quantum leaps – versus a temporary patch like taking a vacation, or incremental improvements like asking for a raise – requires questioning the mindset and perceived limitations from which morale arises … This is the next topic in our series….

Daniel Robin & Associates is an internationally-recognized management consulting and training firm, specializing in the human elements of quality. Contact us via E-MAIL or phone (831) 761-0700 (toll free in the US, 1-800-96-AGREE [800-962-4733]), or fax to (831) 761-3810.

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