Do you ever look at some of your employees and think what perfect extras they’d be on the set of the Walking Dead? The day in day out routine of work can turn even the most enthusiastic team members into zombies some days. If some of your people seem disengaged or just going through the motions, how can you bring them back to the world of the living and get them fired up?
You’re Contagious!
In an epidemic scenario, you the leader are Patient Zero. Your employees can easily “catch” your state of mind so make sure you take care of yourself in such a way that your passion and enthusiasm can be a driving force for your people.
Give Them CPR
Some of your team might be lifeless because it’s been too long since they’ve had your CPR. CPR stands for comment, praise and review. This is the life support you as a leader can administer on a regular basics to keep your team going and breath life into lagging employees. Your people depend on you to chart the course and readjust as necessary so comment on how they are doing and where they need to go. Praise wherever and whenever possible. Most of us thrive on positive reinforcement and praise can underpin the positive attitudes and actions you want more of. Some employees are barely breathing, what then? If an employee’s performance doesn’t even deserve positive comments or praise, then give them a review. Sometimes just becoming aware that someone else sees your lackluster performance can spur on some positive changes or get terminal cases to move on before they infect the rest of your team.
A Prescription For Fun
Remember the scene in Mary Poppins where a little fun helps the kids stay on task to clean their playroom? We all do better on the job when we can find the fun in the work we do. Maybe it’s a game, a challenge or even just a moment of levity in the day, but fun doesn’t have to interrupt work when it is part of work. Find more ways to make work fun.
There are times when all of us need a little something to reawaken the drive and enthusiasm we have for the work we do. Put these tools in your “go bag” and be ready with some workplace survival next time you need it.
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