Working in a non-profit is all about wearing several hats at the same time. It can often throw us in a dump of depression, work-related stress, and anxiety. It is even more true when we don’t share our cups of morning tea with our colleagues or take a minute or two to tell them how our weekend was.
Since Covid hit, all of this has come to a stand-still. Some of us are also having a mixed work-culture where we make it to the office two or three days a week and then jump to zoom meetings often enough. It not only adds to additional stress but also virtual fatigue. But with 2020 coming to an end, we had some hope. There was a hope that at least a year of mess and masks is finally winding up.
However, the beginning of 2021 is nothing different at all. We are still living in restrictions, under fear and stress. So the bottom line is that we need to adapt. Our beneficiaries still need a helping hand. Our stakeholders and donors still need to know where we put their gifts and how their contribution made a difference.
So we have to find ways to make things work. And it all starts with building more resilience at the workplace. Since we spend most of our time with our colleagues, it is crucial to understand each other, empathize with each other and create an environment thriving on feelings and affection.
So what are some of those great ways to do so?
- One great way to stay connected with everyone is through Zoom or any other hangout that you find comfortable. Google connect is also a great option. Both your work-from-home and in-office staff can jump in to attend weekly team huddles where you all can stay connected and take your mission to the next level. To keep everyone in the loop and motivated weekly team huddle is a must-to-have.
- Another step is to make these team huddles sound interesting. Nowadays, everything is online – virtual fairs, weddings, exhibitions, and almost everything. So try and do simple activities to involve everyone. Introducing an ice-breaking session on zoom can be a good idea. You can ask simple questions like, ‘tell us one new hobby or skill you developed during the lockdown’ or ‘If it was not Covid-19, where would you like to go and why!’ Encourage participation from everyone to set the mood.
- Employees need constant motivation that seems to be a challenge these days. So how about adding one slide in your presentation where you can recognise your top-performers for the week. It can not only be somebody who has raised more funds for you but also someone who had too much on his or her plate and was able to complete it in time.
- There are some great tools online to send thank you notes to your colleagues and staff. Even a simple email sounds good. You can internally keep sending gratitude to one another to someone who has helped you with a project or has stood by you. Telling thanks is one thing, but sending a thank you card their way demonstrates how much you care and appreciate their help.
These are simple and doable tips for any organization having employees and resources that require basic tech knowledge. The idea is to stay connected, motivate each other, and build resilience to keep going forward. And once you start with these simple ideas, you will bring in many creative ones as time goes by. So what do you do to build your staff motivation? Tell us today by writing in the comments section below!