boosting office morale - aacrao

Workplace Freedom

Building Office Morale

YOU

“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”

Theodore Roosevelt

What is morale?• In the workplace, morale is more of an

individual thing than something measured by departments. Events play a large part in morale, such as heavy layoffs, the cancellation of overtime, canceling benefits programs, and the influence of unions. Other events can also influence workplace morale, such as sick building syndrome, low wages, and employees being mistreated

Employees Mirror the Behaviors of the Leaders(positively and negatively)

What do I see in my team?

Professional Staff Support Staff

Director

Assistant Director

EVERYONE CONNECTSLEADER

PROF. STAFFOFFICE SUPPORT

What is a Leader?• the capacity to establish direction and to

influence and align others toward a common goal, motivating and committing them to action and making them responsible for their performance.

LEADERSHIP IS INFLUENCE

• Do you shape your life and career?• Do you affect the quality of others’

experiences?• Do you inspire or influence others?• Do you work to achieve specific goals

by working or coordinating the efforts of others?

What kind of Leader are you?

Authoritarian

Participative

Delegate (free rein)

ICAREMISSION VISION AND VALUES

• Innovation• Collaboration• Accountability• Respect• Excellence

InnovationCreate something new

Student Services Changes:

• Allowed employees to choose their own paint color for their office.

• Allow soft presentable music• Having a suggestion box for employees

to express their ideas for the office.

Collaboration• Allow employees to discuss their ideas,

issues or changes in the workplace. Don’t be afraid to establish and “open door” policy.

• Feel free to discuss your vision for the office and receive feedback of your vision.

“Use theposition todevelop yourleadership/administrativeSkills”

Ronald D. Franks, M.DRush University

Accountability• When part of a team, everyone should

be responsible for their actions.• Don’t be afraid to admit your frailties but

make every intent to correct them.Accountability is like a relay race…when one member does not perform well it effects the whole rhythm of the team which causes it’s members to fall short in performance.

Respect

• “How one communicates determines how one responds.”

• Give and take relationship

“It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.”

Zig Ziglar

Excellence

Promoting Excellence• Define the Mission • Solicit Input• Specify Roles• Acknowledge Success• Foster AdvancementMichael D. Prislin M.D.University of California, Irvine“Evaluating Staff Performance”

BALANCE

Morale Pointers

• “It’s all in the mind…”

• Build a great foundation.

• Know what you’re office is lacking

• Procrastination can hinder growth

• Recognize strengths and use them

• Challenge • Create, maintain

and embrace a positive atmosphere

Know your team• Their characteristics?• Their Goals• What are their interest?• What is their work style?

What about you? What are your employee morale problems?

• A major change in company structure? • Employees being laid off? • Lack of communication? • A negative attitude? • Joylessness? • Low energy? • Co-workers don’t get along? • A gloomy atmosphere? • Stress? • Or…perhaps your morale isn’t all that bad, but you want your

employees to have more enthusiasm, more excitement, and more smiles

Morale Boosters• Monthly lunch• Gift Cards• Recognizing Birthdays • Compliments, acknowledgements• Employee of the Month Award• Secretary Week/Professionals Week

– Do something different each day• Grab bag for Christmas• Potluck• Luncheon

“Be the change you wish to see in the world….”

Gandhi

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION

RUSH UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE OF STUDENT SERVICES

Kristy PetersonAdmissions Counselor/RecruiterKristy_R_Peterson@Rush.edu312-942-1442