Independent Banker - September 2020 - 27

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for a staycation. Remind them not to feel guilty
about it. We all need to play.
2. Change up the schedule. We also need
Leadership at All Levels
By Lindsay LaNore, ICBA
How to boost
team morale
here are no two ways about it: It has been
a stressful year. With health and economic
fears, changes to our work environments and
social distancing requirements, we've all had
many reasons to feel anxious. Keeping up team
morale can be challenging for leaders, especially
as the uncertainty continues, but here are simple
ideas for pick-me-ups.
1. Give permission to play. To paraphrase
author Brené Brown, we live in a culture that celebrates
exhaustion, and sometimes it takes real
courage to rest and play. Encourage your team to
take some time away from work, even if it's only
T
Lindsay LaNore
(lindsay.lanore@
icba.org) is group
executive vice
president and
chief learning
and experience
off icer
variety. Whether it's modifying the format of a
meeting or the approach to a project, try looking
at things diff erently or coming at them from
a diff erent angle. For those team members who
are constantly working through lunch, encourage
them to schedule breaks. Or, better still,
order lunch for the team and take that time to
catch up.
3. Say " thank you. " If you've just fi nished
a lengthy project or wrapped up a productive
meeting, take fi ve minutes to say " thank you " to
your team. At the end of a Zoom call, remember
to recognize the team's good work. Or go
old-school and send everyone a personal, handwritten
note.
4. Be the cheerleader. Your actions and
words are critically important, so add a little
cheer to your leadership. You don't have to sugar-coat
the practical realities, but staying positive
in your interactions is key. You can do this with
more frequent meetings or daily huddles.
5. Be delightfully ineff icient together.
Even if it may seem a little frivolous, connect
with your team on something that is not
work-related. Finishing up a Friday meeting by
asking about weekend plans is an obvious topic.
Alternatively, you can share an uplifting story
from the community or a random fun fact. Consider
posing a " would you rather " question to the
team: ice cream or pizza? Then surprise them by
having it delivered.
6. Start a challenge. Everyone likes a friendly
competition. From an exercise, cooking or gardening
challenge to a photo contest for the best
fall photo, it will encourage the team to do something
other than work and will boost camaraderie.
7. Share frustrations. Ask your team to tell
you what's getting on their nerves. Sometimes
just saying it out loud can help, but you may also
be able to make changes or, better still, take it off
their plate.
8. Improve pesky ineff iciencies. Every
department has processes or documents we've
been meaning to change, update or organize.
Setting aside time to improve ineffi ciencies can
boost morale and lighten workloads. Fewer hurdles
mean happier employees.
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Independent Banker - September 2020

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