Office Morale Boosters That Really Work

Morale is the most mysterious ingredient in any successful workplace. Every manager knows how important it is, yet there’s no good way of quantifying it. We have an innate sense of when it’s high, but when it’s lacking, there’s no foolproof recipe or easy fix for raising it back up. Sustaining high morale is a constant effort–any attempt to apply a short-term fix is bound to come off as insufficient, or worse, insincere. In the end, morale-building is highly dependent on the characteristics of each individual team, and good leaders work to find solutions that fit their office’s distinct personality. These morale boosting ideas cover a variety of areas, but they all have one thing in common: togetherness. Teams that engage with one another and can have fun together will be happier in the long run and communicate more effectively when it’s time to get down to business. So whichever path you choose, remember to focus on bringing your staff together to socialize as a team.

Nothing fosters good feelings quite like lending a helping hand. Volunteering is a great way for employees to get to know a side of their teammates that they might not see every day in the workplace. Don’t be afraid to solicit suggestions from your team for causes to support. Whether it’s helping build a playground or putting in a few hours at a soup kitchen, everyone will feel great about what they’re doing–and that warmth is guaranteed to carry over back in the office.

Teams that eat together stay together: it’s science. Coworkers who share meals tend to have better overall workplace performance and morale, and that should come as no surprise. Eating is a social experience, and dining together frequently fosters an intimacy that’s difficult to replicate. One great way to encourage team dining habits? Providing catered lunches on a semi-regular basis. We can help with that. Jerry’s Kitchen specializes in catering indoor and outdoor events of all sizes, whether you’re planning a small-scale lunch for your management team or an office-wide Taco Tuesday blowout. Contact us today and we’ll work out a custom menu and provide a free, no-strings-attached quote.

Whatever your company’s next social event, try extending an open invitation to staff members’ kids and significant others. Everyone is happier when the people they care about most are involved, and involving families shows that your business cares about its team members as people, not just as workers.

An office book club might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of fun, but choosing a book that everyone in the office can engage with and discuss is an excellent way of learning together, but just as important, book clubs are an inherently social enterprise that forms lasting bonds through shared experience. Try choosing self-improvement of business-oriented titles, or crowdsourcing suggestions from your staff! A half hour meeting every few weeks to discuss how the book applies to your workplace is likely to produce some useful insights and foster bonds that improve day-to-day morale.