by Jan Lazor

Created on: August 09, 2011   Last Updated: August 17, 2011

Office morale is as fragile and delicate as fine crystal. Team leaders spend an inordinate amount of time molding and crafting a beautiful, cohesive unit that glistens with pride while other department teams watch from the sidelines with lackluster interest in working toward similar achievements.

Once team morale has developed into a cohesive unit, it has to be nurtured and fertilized to keep it healthy and strong. Otherwise it will wither on the vine much sooner than it took to grow it into a living, vibrant part of the office.

Successful team building doesn’t have to cost a company big dollars to achieve and maintain. In fact some of the basic fundamental elements that make-up the foundation of positive office morale can’t be bought at any price. Aretha Franklin said it best in her hit song,”R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

Team members must RESPECT the work their peers are doing, whether co-workers just answer the phones, order pens and paper, or keep the copier and fax machine supplied with ink. Respect isn’t measured by the dollar amount printed on a paycheck. It comes from the simple appreciation that everyone on the team has a job to do. When they do it well, the team runs smoothly

Think of your team as a puzzle. When every one is in the office and things are running smoothly, the puzzle is complete. If someone is absent for an extended period of time, their absence is felt at all levels of the team.

Sometimes in stressful situations, tempers can flare and risk breaking the delicate balance that keeps the team spirit alive. That’s when a savvymanager will step-up and plan a simple office activity to get the team back on track.

When stress invades your team, something as simple as an “Atta’ Boy,” (or girl) celebration can work wonders to repair team morale. The simple practice of holding a five-minute team meeting to recognize a team member’s positive attitude or acknowledge something nice they’ve done for someone else in the office helps restore a frayed team bond.

An “Atta Boy” can be something as simple as a badge of achievement or a candy bar. It doesn’t have to be flamboyant or costly. It is a small gesture to let your team members know you appreciate them and the little things they do to keep the office running smoothly.

Food is the universal healer for ailing teams. If your office budget allows, buy gourmet ice cream for your staff on the first day of summer. Or buy hot dogs with all the trimmings and serve your staff lunch on the opening day of baseball season. Some simple, whimsical and playful will bring a smile to everyone's face, no matter how tense things are in the business environment

In today’s economy, office budgets are being trimmed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your team with food. Organize a potluck luncheon where everyone in the office contributes their favorite picnic food.

Successful team building begins at the top and trickles down to the staff. Start with respect and you are already well on your way to building your team’s morale.

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