It’s no secret that employees today are struggling.
“I’m stressed… behind… there are so many things to wrap up…”
Work consumes most of our day, including travel time to and from work.
It’s not uncommon for staff to feel underappreciated and overworked. Most management staff feels misunderstood while trying to play mediator. And now, remote positions alienate coworkers adding a new factor that influences team cohesiveness.
Up to December 2021, I worked on the frontline. I, too, felt underappreciated, unheard, and upset as many other coworkers shared the same concerns. From a macro perspective, 2021 was the year of the ‘great resignation,’ so again, it’s no secret we could all benefit from TLC in our work environment.
Management, this message is for you: frontline staff appreciate pizza parties but once or twice a year, not every time you want to ‘celebrate.’ Especially when the pizza is not even delicious or varied. This is why we find so many reels on pizza parties or coffee mugs as an employee appreciation. Yes, it is kind of you, but your employees want connection, not pizza. Employees want fun, laughter, and compliments, not a free cookie.
Employees, frontline, or management all benefit from CONNECTION and breaks. This is why my employee appreciation events or team-building events gather around games, exercises, and fun conversations to re-connect, re-define, re-charge, and re-engage.
Let me help.
Even if you’re aware of these truths, you’re probably unsure how best to address them.
But you don’t have to. I can help, and you have options…
Mental Health Awareness at work (Psychological Safety)
It’s no secret that mental health struggles negatively affect productivity and have staggering costs for your organization.
Take Julie*, a frontline employee with five years under her belt yet feeling unheard and isolated from management decisions. She offers ideas and suggestions to her direct supervisor, yet nothing gets implemented. She begins to withdraw and assume, “Why offer suggestions if they don’t care… they don’t listen… they don’t give a crap about my opinion.” Julie eventually resigned, and her position remained vacant for months before her employer found a “good fit.” Her resignation comes with a cost to Julie’s work program and agency as a whole.
Then you have Kevin*, Julie’s direct supervisor and director of their program, who feels his hands are tied when he shares Julie’s suggestions at higher management meetings, but they get turned down. He doesn’t want Julie to know management turned it down, so he remains quiet and just keeps moving while minimally stating, “I presented it to management, but it’s in their hands.” Kevin also feels misunderstood as he notices Julie no longer shares feedback with him. He sometimes becomes defensive and also alienates from conversation to avoid any “confrontation.”
And just like that scenario, there are multiple work-related stories.
In 2020, I was involved in a car accident where I had to take the day off from work because I didn’t have a car. That week, I missed a deadline for a report, and instead of my boss explaining my situation, he met with me and HR to write me up for missing the deadline – the ‘CEO’ was very upset. It is in situations like these that humanity is lost. Let’s bring the connection back, understanding, compassion, and remembering.
Employees need education and coping skills.
We are meant to grow and connect, not stay stagnant.
According to a 2017 Gallup poll, 3 out of 10 employees strongly agreed that their opinions don’t count at work. And remote work settings – which are much more common now, given the global COVID pandemic – have worsened the problem, particularly for women. A recent survey from Catalyst found that nearly half of female business leaders face difficulties speaking up in virtual meetings, and 1 in 5 reported feeling overlooked or ignored during video meetings. Psychological safety is believing you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.
Psychological safety at work…
It holds as a premise the belief held by team members that others on the team will not embarrass, reject, or punish you for speaking up.
A lack of psychological safety at work has major business repercussions. First, when people don’t feel comfortable talking about initiatives that aren’t working, the organization isn’t equipped to prevent failure. And when employees aren’t fully committed, the organization has lost an opportunity to leverage the strengths of all its talent.
Psychological safety at work entails embracing the conflict while being allowed to speak up, knowing that your team has your back and vice versa. Through fun and guided exercises, attendees of my workshops or events will firsthand experience these benefits.
Employee Appreciation
Showing your employees their value (especially when times are tough) goes a long way. Research indicates that it improves their performance because it builds trust and connection. Recognition is appropriate and necessary when it’s earned and deserved. Appreciation, however, is important all the time.
By doing fun activities together, you show your team that you value who they are and want to cultivate positive relationships within your organization.
Your employees will feel refreshed through guided exercises, psychoeducation, and games. They’ll gain a renewed sense of cohesiveness.
Team building activities give a more holistic view of team members’ abilities which can translate to utilizing your employees more effectively in the workplace.
Team-Building Workshops
Employees are like family, so why not treat them with loving care?
Team-building workshops improve engagement, bolster communication skills and creativity, and increase morale and commitment.
When working in a company, team members are not regularly in contact with all members of your organization, especially if the company is large. Because of this challenge, team-building activities are an opportunity for your team to get to know members from other departments or newly hired.
Show up as the best and stand out from the rest!
During staff meetings administration often reiterates their desire to show gratitude to their employees.
As a former employee, words are just words unless action is taken. I understand the need and believe you do, too.
Let me help you show your team, staff, and management how team building and appreciation are an integral part of your culture.
Let’s talk, and let me bring you together: (786) 571-6617.
*Names changed to protect client confidentiality.