Camping In Ontario Update Newsletter June 2019 September 2013 | Page 22

CAMPING IN ONTARIO UPDATE | 22

Top 10 Morale Boosters — Motivation in the Workplace
Boosting Morale is not a one-time shot. It takes time, effort and
energy to keep an upbeat attitude alive. I suggest you take one of
these morale boosters and implement it, see how its working and
then consider another one. Try the motivational techniques below.

Boost Pride and Professionalism

Manage Expectations
High Expectations lead to disappointment. Define for your employees and patients reasonable expectations. ACTION: Clearly outline what others can expect from any interaction/ procedure or role.
Under promise so you can routinely over-deliver.

Have any shrinking violets at work? With meaningful work everyone
should be proud of their role. If you don’t sense the pride than you
know people need to be recognized for their contribution. Show employees why they should be proud and that their work is meaningful.
Of the top reasons people leave their work, they don’t feel appreciated. ACTION: Don’t leave this to fate, make sure people feel genuinely
recognized. Appoint employees to this role (make it a game or give
incentives to keep recognition alive).

Settle for No Less than Learning

Organizations that play together stay together

Disrespectful acts are instant morale crushers. ACTION: Clearly define
and communicate what is respectful behavior and what is not. Acts
of disrespect should be reprimanded. Challenge each other with
respect.

It’s trite but true. Playing around turns the routine into festive and
encourages positive workplace rapport. ACTION: Add humor and
play to meetings, patient interaction, and shift change. Motivational
speeches that engage and inspire help but only if they are relevant.

Glean the element of surprise
People remember the unexpected (i.e. Not many people will forget
September 11th). ACTION: Create positive memories by engaging in
the unexpected. Surprise people with activities, rewards, games, and
recognition. Be Creative — the more surprising the better!

Smiling Inspires Confidence
Smirk — it’s good for business. People feel at ease and comfortable
when others smile. When your staff smiles it inspires confidence.
ACTION: Spend time walking around smiling and encourage (insist?) people smile at work. Self-development starts with a positive
disposition.

Tell your story

Your organization has a purpose, history and vision… Share it. Your
story helps people feel like a part of something important. ACTION:
Communicate your story often at meetings and retreats. Appoint employees to act it out or tell it at company events.

Learning is a priority so look for the lesson in everything. Treat mistakes as learning opportunities. Most people are doing the best they
can given the time and resources they have. ACTION: When mistakes
happen don’t punish but make sure they are treated as a learning
opportunity. Have a seminar that encourages people to discuss near
misses and opportunities to improve.

Insist on Respectful Behavior

Involve
The more you involve people in problem solving the more they will
buy into the solution. ACTION: Create a system to solicit input and incorporate it before rolling out change.

Laugh, Lighten up and enjoy your Mind!
New brain research by Event speakers Dr Candace Pert suggests that
when we laugh we use our brain to its highest capacity. Laughter immediately boosts endorphins, increases energy and decreases stress
hormones. ACTION: Have laugh breaks to encourage the active use of
humor. Put games, joke books, stand-up comedy tapes in the lunch
and break areas to help people engage their humorous side.
Jody Urquhart, Inspirational, Motivational Keynote Speaker
Jody is author of the book All Work & No SAY. Her mission is to help
motivate people to derive more meaning, fun and satisfaction from
their work. Come hear Jody’s keynotes at Convention on the topics of
Customer Service and Change.  ■

Register Now: WCWC/OWWA
Small Systems Hands-on Workshop
October 24, 2013: Walkerton Clean Water Centre
Practical hands-on training designed for owners and operators of small
drinking water systems. CEUs: 0.6 Fee: $175 + HST

To register please visit wcwc.ca/registration