Top 3 Team Morale Killers to Avoid
When your project is important, and likewise urgent, it’s critical to ensure a smooth workflow. This can make team morale as important as hitting your deadlines. While this doesn’t mean breaking out the pom-poms every time you see your colleague frown, there are some behaviors that are easier to avoid than repair a broken team. Top 3 Team Morale Killers to Avoid Here are the top three as related by Anna Johansson, the Inc.com contributor.
- Inconsistency. “Inconsistency in almost any area is grounds for a morale decrease. Consistency is important because it gives people a sense of what to expect; even if your employees don’t like or agree with one of your behaviors, as long as you’re consistent with it, they’ll learn how to work around it.” Johansson explains.
- Failing to follow through on a commitment. Johansson writes “When you say you’re going to do something, you need to do it. Pledging to support one of your coworkers on a project, then failing to show up–even if you have a valid excuse–can reduce the overall team’s morale, not to mention damaging the trust you have with that coworker. “
- Complaining. The truth is, venting can be healthy–and we all need to vent from time to time. But when you have complaints and criticisms, you need to express those in a controlled and positive environment. Complaining–even if it’s something little, or is it a fleeting context–can have a significant impact on your team’s morale.”
Managing team morale can be a critical soft skill and asset that pays dividends for years to come. Toxic teams take a toll on every company at every level often without the participant’s knowledge. If you see these habits showing up in your daily grind, do your best to eliminate them which may be easier than switching teams.