Motivating my team

RE: Motivating my team

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 16:38:26 GMT

Outstanding, of course it's not appropriate to discuss details in a forum, glad you're on the way to getting the situation sorted! :)

RE: Motivating my team

WelshyNurse — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:51:29 GMT

So I spoke to them, individually. Seems there is an issue which I won't go into. It isn't major and think I've resolved it and already seems a better atmosphere today

RE: Motivating my team

Sophie Millar — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:23:54 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I work with all girls and my boss is a man! Poor guy! He always has a quick meeting on a Monday where everyone tells the group what we did at the weekend that way we don't have much to talk about for the rest of the day. I appreciate you can't do that in your line of work necessarily but it works for us!

He also has regular meals / Fat Friday lunches which brings us all together. I think creating a situation where your employees can (and almost have to) socialise is great for productivity and morale. I know no one in my office is ever late or calls in sick etc. because of the respect we have for our boss and how much he does for us / how much effort he puts in with us.

RE: Motivating my team

Sal the 1st — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 10:21:18 GMT

.... and failing that there is always an away day paintballing

RE: Motivating my team

Sal the 1st — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 10:04:30 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]

Id say one on one is the only way, if anyone has a gripe about another member of staff no one is going to say it in front of other people, the last practice I worked in the staff were constantly bitching about each other and running up to the manager with tales of this and that, it was hellish, couldnt work in an atmosphere like that again so best of luck in sorting this out before it escalates, I dont envy your position!

[/quote]

not very keen on the one on one - if you aren't careful it ends up with a staff member plus supporters in one corner and another staff member plus supporters in another corner (best scenario) or a whole bunch of people against just one person. I have in the past tended to go for a full meeting with agenda clearly set in advance - so this means everybody thinking about what they are wanting to raise in advance and everybody having the chance to speak (which might mean setting a time limit for some people).

When things have got to this stage in past where I have worked I also make it a requirement that anybody bringing a problem to the table also provides a possible solution - that way they are encouraged to think of a few positives instead of just negatives.

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]

the staff were constantly bitching about each other and running up to the manager with tales of this and that

[/quote]

I think most people are guilty of this at some stage- I will hold my hand up to it right now - speaking for myself why have I done this? I have done this when I have been pushed to the limit and I don't feel that I have been heard or that my concerns have been taken seriously or I am just plain being taken for a ride. Ignore people who care for long enough and ... they just stop caring.

Deal with problems as they arise don't wait until that lump under the carpet where everything has been swept trips you up

You could try putting people in 'mini teams' and giving them responsibilities who you know would not normally work together and making their wage rise/ bonus/treat dependent on them producing results - I have known this one work quite well. Its like when you go on a course where you have to work with somebody who you don't know - everybody either consciously or subconsciously will want to work with the person who they think looks like they would be the most agreeable or the least disagreeable. Somebody along the line is going to have to work with somebody they don't like the look of and 9 times out of 10 these are the people who get the most from a course because it takes them right outside of their comfort zone.

RE: Motivating my team

Scottywildcat — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:32:23 GMT

RE: Motivating my team

WelshyNurse — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:01:35 GMT

I didn't get any answers. Just that all was fine, but it's obvious it isnt.

I will have another chat this week, maybe one on one.

RE: Motivating my team

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 15:47:47 GMT

What were some of the bent answers? :)

RE: Motivating my team

WelshyNurse — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 21:31:14 GMT

Fab ideas Alison.

I have asked them but no straight answers

RE: Motivating my team

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 20:44:08 GMT

Have you thought about asking them what's bothering them? ;)

RE: Motivating my team

Alison Clare Hickman — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 18:44:13 GMT

Hiya WelshyNurse,

Swap job role/duties around?

Ask what they'd like to do differently?

Get them involved in making some changes they've suggested (always a winner for enthusiasm that one, I think!).

Tell 'em if they've time to gossip they've time to make each other a cuppa, you included?!

Set up a 'Pawsome' jar to post good feedback comments from the team about one another (not just a popularity contest if worked well) with a 'mystery reward' for the one who gets the most comments at the end of the month. A slip of folded paper with the comment /name of nominee is all that's needed. The 'mystery reward' can be anything you like, from a bottle of wine, to chocolates to half an hour/hour early finish one day (pick whatever reward works best for your team). Usually, sceptics get with the program when they realise they're missing out and see how 'chuffed' colleagues are when given praise from their peers/bosses.

Ali h

RE: Motivating my team

WelshyNurse — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 11:10:47 GMT

That's a great idea actually. Might give that one a go next week.

Thanks!

RE: Motivating my team

Robyn — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 10:49:30 GMT

What about doing a fat friday and ordering in pizza for everyone at lunch? Little bit easier than trying to organise a night out? The practice manager used to do this for us at Vets Now if we'd had particularly stressful week - worked a treat!

RE: Motivating my team

WelshyNurse — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 20:56:28 GMT

Haha!

totally agree there will always be a bit of bitching, but it seems more than normal. I'm hoping it's the January blues hanging around and it will sort itself out.

Was even thinking of arranging a night out or meal for us all, but trying to find a date where everyone can make it is impossible!

We are recruiting shortly. Maybe we need some men

RE: Motivating my team

Scottywildcat — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 20:45:39 GMT

lol Welshy are you sure you want to go there again! ( Scotty stands back and waits for the onslaught to begin )

Seriously though, Iv no idea what you could do as to my mind wherever you get a group of women, be it in a professional situation, social, whatever, there is going to be bitching, one of the reasons Id rather work with men any day, even ones who are old fashioned chauvinistic pigs!