Improve Your Team Morale With 3 Words
By Leanne Crain

We are fortunate to work with many dynamic companies, and we often are asked to do employee climate survey's for them. In essence, it is a series of questions that allow us to take a quick pulse of your team and diagnose any areas that are functioning exceptionally well, or that might need a bit of attention.

Now, being that these are all diverse companies, in diverse markets, you would think we get many different answers and it would be hard to find trends or patterns that are common with almost every one. Imagine our surprise when we get the same comments over and over from teams everywhere. There is one team ingredient we always hear about. Some say they are getting lots and it makes them love their jobs even more. Some would like to hear more of it. I bet when you were a child you were given countless lessons on these words. I bet they were even referred to as Magic Words. In fact, flip on a preschool cartoon and you will probably find entire songs and shows about those 3 words.

Figured it out yet? You got it, the secret, free way to improve your team morale is the same words you were taught from the time you could talk. Please and Thank You.

Who knew it could be so easy! All this time you have had the secret right in your own vocabulary. Sure it will not fix all things, but it will help more than you can imagine. Did you know that statistics have shown that the most common reason people leave a company is because they do not feel appreciated? It's true! Let me tell you, we know it's true. Those who get it love it, and those who do not get it crave it. We have heard it again and again, first hand - no statistical study required.

When you say please to someone as you ask them to do a task, it shows them that you respect them, and respect their time. When you say thank you, you are showing your team that you truly appreciate the work they do. We have suggested ideas in the past such as thank you cards, a box that allows other team members to submit someone for appreciation, and many other ideas for gratitude. Those are all wonderful, but please remember, it all starts with those 3 words. From the toughest factory line worker, to the most sentimental office worker, those 3 words are magic to the ears. If you want to start improving your team morale right this minute, get up from your desk, go find a team member, and thank them for something they have done right recently. Then do it again to another. Make it a habit, and watch the morale grow!

To have an employee climate survey done with your company, online or in person, please contact Gary Gzik at ggzik@bizxcel.com.

Leanne Crain is a Marketing and Administrative Assistant for BizXcel. Her background is marketing and tourism, and she has over 12 years experience in the sales and marketing field.