As a supervisor, part of your job responsibilities includes maintaining team productivity and protecting their well-being. So, if you’re seeing a seasonal morale dip (or really, any time of year), how can you help your team recover?
During our recent New Supervisor’s Community of Practice session, “How to Inspire an Unmotivated Team,” Malissa Lewis, Division Director, Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS, offered advice and tips for inspiring your team to shine.
Check out a few highlights now and watch the entire session below for more:
- What are some signs of an unmotivated team? Lewis mentioned low engagement, a lack of innovation, not taking initiative and even seeming “checked out,” doing the bare minimum for a paycheck. She also noted if you see a lower employee retention rate, it’s time to address morale.
- What are some strategies for addressing low motivation? She recommended addressing the problem on an individual basis first. When your employees feel like they have their needs met, it will move the team collectively in a more positive direction. Lewis suggested creating a system of trust by ensuring your words and actions match, being transparent, and treating people fairly.
- Tips for increasing engagement on a day-to-day level? Lewis said you must “get creative,” especially if you have a standard 1-on-1 template. That includes carving out time to speak to everyone, so in turn, they’re comfortable talking to you because you’ve built trust. She noted that you should also prioritize your employees’ feedback because while you may not be able to implement everything, you can always do something to show you’re listening and care.
For more advice for new supervisors, join us next month at 4 p.m. on Jan. 27 for “2025 Is Your Year: How to Goal-Set for Success.”