Page 29 - Anne Bruce - Building A HIgh Morale Workplace (2002)

Business on Planet Earth, No Longer as We Know It 9

Take time to ask them
Go Beyond Job
about their hobbies, musi-
Descriptions
cal instruments they play, Don’t let your employees

foreign countries they’ve get stuck on job descriptions. Instead,
visited, and so on. Who’s point out the value and importance of
a professional singer? each individual’s job.Also, recognize
Who’s a gourmet chef? what each can contribute: it’s a good
way to build morale and esprit de
Who’s an equestrian?
corps as well as to discover skills and
Enjoy your employees.
talents that may not show in the
Help them to be humans,
usual tasks and assignments.
not just workers.

These are just some of the many ways you as a manager

can work with your employees to create spirited morale boost-
ers. Remember: employees need and want managers who can
empathize with their needs and who genuinely try to co-create
with them an environment in which everyone feels valued and
respected, no matter what’s going on around them or what

changes they may be facing.

Whole-Person Database
Collect information from willing employees about them-
selves.What are their special talents? Their interests? Their
exceptional accomplishments? Their favorite movies, songs, sports, and
hobbies? Who’s a pilot? Who collects porcelain dolls? Who’s a stand-
up comedian? Such information becomes a fantastic way to network
internally and build ongoing morale and pride.
Appoint a team to acquire and build on the information as a net-
working tool and valuable company resource.Who knows what could
develop? Maybe some employees will form after-work pottery or
cooking classes, support groups, travel clubs, skydiving teams, or maybe
even a company choir or band! As you build your whole-person data-
base, you’ll discover untapped and invaluable resources within your
department.And, best of all, your employees will feel that you value
and care for them as whole persons, not just employees.