30 Ways to Boost Team Morale

Maintaining high team morale is crucial for productivity, collaboration, and overall business success. Here at Team Activity Group, we’re all about enhancing workplace experiences, and we understand the importance of a motivated and engaged team.

So, with a nod to our 30th business birthday this year, here are 30 ways you can boost your team's morale and create a positive work environment. And, of course, we’ll start with the obvious…

1.    Team building activities

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, team building activities have been proven to boost collaboration and communication within organisations. Furthermore, a study by McKinsey confirmed that outdoor team building activities improve attention span, creative thinking and overall employee wellbeing. (Want to organise some? Check out TAG’s A-Z of corporate team building activities for some inspo.)

2.    Recognise achievements

Celebrating both individual and team achievements boosts morale because it shows you’re recognising hard work and encourages a culture of appreciation. When people feel valued in this way, they want to work harder. One great way to do this is via an awards ceremony.

3.    Employee recognition programs

… And recognising employees’ contributions more generally is also crucial. An employee of the month program or even just weekly shout-outs in meetings are small tokens of appreciation that go a long way.

4.    Flexible working

Particularly post COVID, you’ll be in the minority if you don't offer some kind of flexible work arrangement. This could include remote work options, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks.

5.    Wellness initiatives

Prioritise employee wellbeing and offer a wellness program. Anything from free or subsidised yoga classes, meditation sessions and massages to initiatives promoting a healthy lifestyle (like nutrition workshops) are guaranteed to go down ‘well’...

6.    Professional development opportunities

Monthly workshops, training sessions or mentorship programs all show you’re investing in your team’s growth, and you care about their individual development.

7.    Open communication

Establish channels for feedback, suggestions, and addressing concerns and create an environment where management is approachable, and employees feel safe to share.

8.    Social events

All work and no play makes Jack - and all of his colleagues - dull boys. Jack was probably an unhappy boy too - humans need to socialise and let off steam. Establish regular social events where employees can relax and connect on a personal level. (We recommend a pub game night!)

9.    Personalised workspaces

Allowing team members to personalise their workspaces enables a sense of ownership and comfort. (Of course, this applies more to organisations that have fixed spaces and don’t hot desk.)

10. Positive reinforcement

It’s not just kids that benefit from positive reinforcement, adults too are motivated by their positive behaviour being acknowledged and rewarded.

11. Team challenges

Introduce friendly competitions or challenges within the team bringing an element of fun while promoting collaboration. (Have you tried our Cube Challenge?)

12. Surprise appreciation days

Employees show up to work to find that instead of hard graft they’re going to relax, have fun and play crazy golf all day… We’re pretty sure that’s a good morale boost.

13. A positive work environment

Think: a clean and organised office space, plants and greenery, ample natural light.

14. Encourage work-life balance

Set clear boundaries between work and personal time. E.g. A no-emails-after-6pm policy.

15. Celebrate milestones

Acknowledge and celebrate both personal and professional milestones, whether it's work anniversaries or personal achievements.

16. Leadership transparency

Keeping the team informed about company goals and decisions develops trust and respect and makes for a more engaged team.

17. Encourage creativity

Promote a culture of innovation and creativity by encouraging team members to share and implement new ideas and organise creative workshops from time to time.

18. Promote inclusivity

… And actively enable it by assessing company policies, promoting pay equity, and facilitating inclusivity workshops and ongoing feedback so that everyone feels valued and respected.

19. Employee feedback surveys

Following on from the above, conducting surveys to gather feedback on the work environment helps you know what needs improving. Make those improvements and employees will know they’re being listened to.

20. Regular check-ins

Scheduling regular one-on-one check-ins with team members allows you to discuss their goals, challenges, and well-being.

21. Learning resources

Offer access to online courses, books, and other learning resources to encourage continuous grow and development.

22. Volunteer opportunities

Volunteering has been shown to increase happiness. Organise opportunities for your team to give back to the community and promote a natural sense of accomplishment. Why not take advantage of our charity and fundraising events to take the load off when it comes to organisation?

23. Gamify the workplace

Leaderboards… badges… competitions… Introduce gamification elements and make work more engaging and enjoyable. (Or how about a giant Scalextric?)

24. Mentoring

Establish mentorship programs to help with knowledge exchange, personal development and overall well-being.

25. Define goals

Ensure team members have clear, achievable goals that are aligned with the company's objectives.

26. Appreciation wall

Create a physical or virtual appreciation wall where team members can express gratitude for each other's efforts.

27. Stress management

Provide training sessions on stress management techniques to help team members cope with pressure.

28. Flexible breaks

Encourage short breaks throughout the day to help team members recharge and stay focused.

29. Leadership development programs

Invest in leadership development programs to empower team members to take on leadership roles when ready.

30. Continuous improvement

Lastly, continuously assess and improve morale-boosting initiatives based on feedback and changing circumstances.

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Boosting team morale is an ongoing process that requires dedication and creativity. As a corporate events management company, we believe in the power of well-executed events and activities to totally transform teams (and businesses).

Contact us today to find out how we can create memorable experiences for your team!