4 Ways to Raise Employee Morale During Tough Times

Want to keep employees motivated? Here are four ways that have nothing to do with money.

JANUARY 02, 2013

Ronna Coe knows that the best workforce is one that’s well-established. As a small-business owner, she focuses on retaining top talent and ensuring workplace motivation through non-monetary strategies.

“Our business involves a real team effort, and it’s important that all employees know their value to the finished product and to customer satisfaction,” says Coe, chairman of Coastal Component Industries (CCI). The company, founded in 1990, manufactures electronic components for the military, defense, and aerospace sectors. It employs 18 people—more than half of whom have been with CCI for over a decade.

Despite economic challenges, Coe is committed to maintaining morale. In addition to 100% company-paid employee health insurance and year-end bonuses, she implements intrinsic motivators inspired by Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know by Jill Geisler.

1. Focus on Employees’ Strengths

Encouraging employees to leverage their natural talents fosters satisfaction and productivity. At CCI:

  • Staff are encouraged to take on tasks that align with their strengths.
  • Regular recognition and positive feedback are standard practice.

“We strive to always thank employees for a job well done when the work meets deadlines and our expectations,” says Coe.

2. Be Flexible with Schedules

Offering flexible work arrangements shows trust and respect. Some examples include:

  • Vice President Diana Romero works a four-day week to care for her granddaughter.
  • Rhonda Shader, a State Farm agent, provides her team with personal days, increasing loyalty and morale.

“I am always open to ideas, as long as we can continue to serve our customers well,” Shader notes.

3. Give Employees a Sense of Purpose

People perform best when their work aligns with their values. Shader takes the following approach:

  • She learns what drives each team member.
  • She identifies personal motivations and passions.
  • She ensures roles support individual purpose and goals.

“Once you determine what fuels an employee’s sense of purpose, they feel appreciated and you get their best,” she explains.

4. Broadcast the Company’s Progress

Keeping employees informed about company milestones creates a sense of pride. At CCI:

  • Annual one-on-one meetings are held to review profit-sharing plans.
  • Employees receive updates on how their work contributes to the company’s success.

“They walk away feeling good about their progress,” says Coe.

Even during tough economic times, businesses can foster motivation and retention by implementing these meaningful, non-financial strategies.

Read more articles on how to keep employees’ morale up.

Photo: Getty Images

Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning suspense served up with a dose of romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire. Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.