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Building team morale has been a common theme among management as of late and for good reason. Employee disengagement is at an all-time high. Company socials and outings, promoting exercise through walk-a-thons or friendly weight-loss contests, and other mood-boosting strategies are fine (although I felt a mandatory high-school-style company rally at one business I worked was a bit much).
But fancy plans aren’t always needed. Sometimes the simple approach is the best. So I’ve put together this list of 7 things I have found invaluable in maintaining positive relations at work that invoke this thing that should sound familiar….kindness.
There are plenty of nice things you can do for your coworkers on days when the world feels awful, and they can hopefully bring a much-needed smile on days where everything feels so terrible. No matter how close you are — whether you’re super close friends with your coworkers or merely acquaintances — these awesome acts of kindness will help you both smile, if only just for a few moments, and get through the workday.
- Buy your co-worker her favorite iced cold beverage. There is nothing like an iced coffee or tea on a busy and hectic day.
- Celebrate Friday—or make Monday more bearable—by bringing in a treat for the entire department. Alternatively, you can do this on a rainy day to cheer everyone up.
- Offer to stay at work late or come in early to help a coworker with a difficult project. Don’t wait for him to ask you. Some people are reluctant to say they need assistance.
- Praise your associate for a job well done. People rarely complain about getting too many compliments. An unexpected high-five or fist bump does the body good sometimes…
- Clean out the break room fridge before everyone else arrives for the day or after they have left. You’ll have the gratitude of the entire staff.
- Ask your coworker to join your lunch group especially if he doesn’t have many workplace friends yet. Remember what it was like to have to eat alone?
- Share a snack – You never know what a few jellybeans might mean in someone’s otherwise challenging day.
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Previously published on LinkedIn.
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