The foundation of good morale and productivity is hiring the right people. Yes – don’t hire grumps. And the people must have clear roles, responsibities, expectations and goals. And they must receive training and coaching which includes feedback, direction, support and recognition from a trusted manager or coach.
If these aren’t in place, this article is NOT for you. If they ARE in place, I encourage you to put this quote to work every now and then.
Here are ten September only opportunities for doing this.
In some cases, you may feel like a fool. Your teammates may roll their eyes. But they will laugh too. And that will lighten the load, break the tension and maybe even bring people closer together. Not just today – but down the road as they think about or talk about the day that ___________ (fill in the blank).
1. September 6 is Fight Procrastination Day. For a staff meeting activity: Ask everyone to make a list of things they’ve been procrastinating – at home and at work. Next – ask them to mark the top 3 items on the list. The things that are absolutely the most important. The things that would make a big difference in their work and lives. Now challenge them to get the first one done during the first week of September. Have everyone report progress at your staff meeting the following week. Have prizes ready for all who won the Procrastination battle. Note: See #2 for prize idea.
2. September 13 is Milton Hersey’s Birthday. Great excuse to eat chocolate. Also great prize idea for all who beat Procrastination! (see #1)
3. September 18 is Thank You Day. See #7 in 10 Tips for Showing Appreciation.
4. September 22 is Elephant Appreciation Day. You can celebrate this one in a number of ways. One idea: How about using this occasion to launch a discussion about the elephant in the room. What is it that people in this office are scare to discuss? People might be to scared to say it out loud. So you could ask them to write it down or discuss in small groups before sharing with the group.
5. September 22 is also the First Day of Fall. It’s a new season. Time to start fresh. Launch a team discussion on what people want to do differently in the new season.
6. September 23 is Innergize Day. This holiday is about encouraging people to do things for themselves – things they never do for themselves due to lack of time. Can you give everyone a half day off to do whatever they want?
7. The entire month of September is Jazz Month. It’s also Classical Music Month. And Southern Gospel Music Month. Can you play music in the office this month? Or play it at the start of each staff meeting? Or during another fun September office event? Also – take a look at the 60 Minutes program from August 28 that featured Gospel for Teens. It is INSPIRING. Could be a powerful management team exercise…to watch it…and observe the way the leaders and members of this team learn, interact and group. Here is a link to Part 1 and Part 2.
8. September is Apple Month. Pass out apples at a staff meeting. Have a pot luck apple lunch to which everyone brings his/her favorite food made with apples.
9. It’s also Chicken Month. Have a pot luck apple lunch to which everyone brings his/her favorite food made with chicken. Or play chicken. Challenge each rep to call a prospect that he or she is chicken to call. And ask them to bring stories about the results.
10. Wild Card! Ask each person on your team to bring in an idea of something to boost team morale and productivity.
Warning – Before you begin, re-read paragraphs 1 and 2.
Also see: 10 Marketing Opportunities September Only.
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Note: 10 by 10 on Tuesday (also know as a Quick List) is a weekly feature is for managers who don’t have time or don’t want to make time to read lengthy articles or even short paragraphs. Here you will find 10 tips or questions or steps or ways to Get 2 Goal or Be a Better Manager, etc). And it will be posted by 10 (AM – EST) on Tuesdays. Here’s our collection of Quick Lists to date.
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