Page 157 - Anne Bruce - Building A HIgh Morale Workplace (2002)

Winning Back Morale in Emotional Times 137

rallied with unprecedented
Inspiration
spirit, morale, and sacri- This quote from an Emily
fice, while Americans Dickinson poem has been

stood strong and tall in used as a motivational poster in many
their resolve. workers’ offices following a work-
place crisis:
People Are the We never know how high we are
Backbone Till we are called to rise;
And then, if we are true to plan,
The backbone of the Our statures touch the skies.
nation, like the backbone
of your organization, is and has always been its people. From
the ashes of fallen buildings, the spirit of America has risen and

it is up to managers and other leaders to harness that undeni-
able spirit and commitment in any way they can to build hope
for a better tomorrow and faith in what lies ahead for us all.

When It Takes More than Faith to Win Back Employee Morale

People react in many different ways when tragedy strikes. Some
quit their jobs and look for safer havens, even if it’s for less
money. Others may be confused, angry, and doubtful about

their work, their employers, and their futures. Some will sit back
until they see something they can believe in again or until faith
returns to others around them.
As a manager, you’ve got to remember that when tragedy
strikes, it hits something much bigger than our sense of well-

being and security—it’s an assault on our belief systems, ideas,
goals, and visions for a prosperous future. These are just a few
of the effects that workers must deal with.

Employees Look to Their Leaders When

Tragedy Strikes

Tragedies of every kind become direct attacks on our faith as
people and proportionately impact employee morale. On top of

this, cynics may wonder if there is anything left to be enthusias-
tic about or to believe in.
(After the Columbine incident in Littleton, Colorado, parents