Last week, I took a socially-distanced power walk and a car pulled up near me. The woman in the car said, “I read your newsletter each week and I really appreciate the content.” I asked Teri her name and for a picture before she drove away. Of course, I couldn’t be in the picture or we would not have upheld our 6 foot social distance!
Teri brightened my outlook, which added a bounce to my step and uplifted my morning. She gave me an endorphin spike, as anyone who gives a sincere compliment will do. What are you doing to give your colleagues an endorphin rush?
Here are some ways I have noticed my clients expressing appreciation and spreading positivity in their work groups:
- Be like the executive director I watched today on a video conference. When you are facilitating a meeting, before transitioning to the next topic, take a breath and thank the committee and the people who did the work that was just reported. Say something supportive and genuine.
- Ask the question one of my colleagues always asks, “What was your silver lining this weekend?”
- Start out like one senior leader did last week and ask each employee how they are feeling, and REALLY take time to listen to the answer.
- Use each email to spread a little positivity. Don’t just send the content, make time for a word of praise regarding something your colleagues are doing right.
Let me know what you have noticed your colleagues doing to keep morale up and work positive.
