How to Boost Morale and Productivity with Meaningful Conversations

A few years ago, I worked with a hospital that was struggling with high turnover rates and low morale. People simply didn't feel valued or heard. Our strategy was aimed at reshaping organizational culture, and we believed the key to this transformation was leadership development. We coached leaders on conducting regular one-on-one check-ins with team members, which provide opportunities to discuss progress, address concerns, and invite feedback. We stressed the need for leaders to recognize people for their efforts and the pivotal role they play in the organization. We guided leaders on fostering psychological safety, ensuring an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and asking questions. Over time, things started to change. People not only felt recognized, but they also began to communicate more openly, bring forward ideas, express concerns, and collaborate. Morale rose, turnover decreased, and quality improved. This transformation aligns with what neuroscience teaches us. Our brains naturally thrive in environments that foster trust, respect, and positivity. Leaders who tap into this understanding not only create better work environments but also elevate overall team performance. I encourage healthcare leaders to focus on the culture they are building. See the difference it makes in your teams and the care your patients receive. Strong teams and strong cultures lead to outstanding results, which means a healthier healthcare system for all. Have you experienced a similar transformation in your organization? What have you found effective in boosting culture? Share below! #Healthcare #Leadership #teamwork #Leadershipdevelopment

I’ve led hundreds of people in the last 13 years and the biggest lesson I learned about leadership: The best leaders lead with empathy. 5 bullet-proof ways to become a more empathetic leader: 𝟭. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 '𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀' 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 Do you really know your employees? Carve out 30-60 minutes each week for them to share concerns, ideas, or personal matters. No agendas. No judgment. No pressure. Face time and open communication build trust - the glue that holds teams together during difficult times. Trust and belonging drive the extra mile, not obligation. 𝟮. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 Offer retreats for self-reflection and relationship building. Loyalty and motivation come from emotion and meaning, not corporate wellness jargon. Get outdoors and play. Connect with one another. A sense of togetherness is rocket fuel for your company. Oh, and it’s also a lot of fun. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲-𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 We always hear about the importance of mentorship. But how open are you to learning from a junior? Match leaders with junior employees for regular check-ins. Ask them for their ideas, and give them the license to offer solutions and create. Sometimes, fresh perspectives are just what you need to turbocharge your growth. Don’t just tick the box. The future of your business lies in the front lines. 𝟰. 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗜𝗻𝘀 Start meetings by quickly sharing recent life events, feelings, or personal goals. Listening lifts morale in minutes. See who they are beyond the role. Your employees aren’t robots. Understanding their motivations and emotions will take your culture to the next level. At the end of the day, we’re all people with lives and dreams outside of work. 𝟱. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 Highlight people’s contributions beyond hitting their monthly sales targets or milestones. Show you care beyond a line item. Recognition makes contributions tangible. Send those firmwide emails, shout out your culture carriers, and plant those golden seeds of motivation. A little appreciation goes a long way. If you want to learn about AI, Agency growth, leadership and more, follow me so you never miss a post!

The way you communicate impacts everything from team morale to customer loyalty. Here's how to use positive language to get the best results and what I learned by messing up a few times 👇 Boost Collaboration and Morale: ◾️ Instead of "You need to fix this," try "How can I help you improve it?" - Replace negativity with appreciation. ◾️ Replace "you need to..." with "What do you think?" - Empower your team. Increase Engagement and Productivity: ◾️ Instead of "that won't work," try "Let's brainstorm some solutions together." - Focus on solutions. ◾️ Replace "you need to get this done" with "How can I help?" or "You have my full attention." - Show your support. These are ‘Positive Phrases’ I wish my leaders used more often, but in reality, the higher up you go, the less positive feedback you get. No news is good news essentially! But if you can, use these more often: 👉 "Thank you" & "This was great!" 👉 "What do you think?" & "I value your feedback" 👉 "What could I have done better?" 👉 "You have my full attention" & "What can I do to help you?" Some people can do this naturally as natural empaths, I on the other hand had to learn this because the leadership regime I grew up in was very much COMMAND & CONTROL. It was top down, results focused only, and belittling was par for the course to rise through the ranks. So my leadership, mentorship, and influence was different than the great leaders of today who lead ‘side by side’ versus top down. So the pivot in language took time, but as I got better, I saw better results. By incorporating these phrases into your daily interactions, you can create a more engaged, productive, and positive work environment. #leadership #communication #positivity P.S. What are some other positive phrases you find effective? Share your thoughts in the comments!*

US Distance Learning Association (#USDLA) had a session noting student success increased when the instructor met with the student 1:1 and provided consistent, constructive #feedback. Having a connection with someone who cares and provides guidance makes a difference to employee success (and #retention) too. Let me ask, who would you prefer to work for? Someone who rarely gives you any feedback on your work, meets maybe monthly for a brief check-in where they ask you to report on your progress and seem busy and distracted or someone who regularly gives you feedback, meets with you regularly, coaches you, listens to your updates and challenges, asks you open-ended questions, and helps you find solutions. I'm guessing the latter where your leader actively provides feedback and regularly meets with you. Creating the connection and having personal conversations is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use to influence a teammates behavior, attitude, and results. This session reminded me of the true value of #leadership. The last 3 years showed we need #leaders who care about teammates as individuals, not just as workers. They show that they are invested in their success and well-being, not just in their output and results. They create a positive and productive work environment where a teammate feels valued, empowered, and inspired. We can focus on #performance but not at the loss of person, it is all wrapped up in one package. Lesson relearned is if we want to see performance success, invest the time to connect with your teammates. Schedule frequent and consistent 1:1 meetings to discuss work and life, provide feedback, and coach them. Use the time to have conversations with your teammates, understand their needs and perspectives, and help them grow and excel. Everyone succeeds then.

All leadership happens during conversations. My invitation is to talk to your people more frequently, not longer. What does that mean? 1. People don’t need more meetings to hear us talk. They need the discussions we have to be more productive. Are we together to share information and insights or reach an agreement? Do we need to decide a path, set expectations, and act? Do we need to apologize for falling short in a moment of overwhelm? 2. Catch people doing things right, even if it’s ‘their job.’ I don’t know why we treat compliments as precious. Maybe we think if we show our appreciation, that makes us vulnerable to lower productivity when people take us less seriously. Perhaps we convince ourselves that thanking people for doing their job well is equivalent to a participation trophy. I think it creates a moment of connection that lets people know we are paying attention and care about them. And once someone believes we care about them, trust grows. 3. We underestimate how much a chance encounter and a 60-second chat may impact the other person. A simple gesture, a moment of gratitude, perhaps even a profound thought that we dismiss as obvious, that hits others like a lightning bolt. None of that happens if we don’t show up to listen and share a point of view. 4. A client recently commented that it comforts them to know I’m available to help when needed. It’s not that they call me frequently beyond our scheduled meetings. It’s that they know I’ll respond if they do. Who are the people in your life that you are helping by being the person who will answer the call when they need you? It’s a great reminder that asking for help is heroic and that we don't do this alone. 5. Be present. When a group is coming together for a meeting, stand up and greet each person, and take a few seconds to make eye contact and a connection. You don’t have to engage in small talk if that’s not your thing, but saying good morning, I hope you are well today is a great way to start the meeting. Leadership doesn’t happen in emails, texts, or voicemails. It isn’t on your iPhone or iPad screen. It happens when we are in conversation with others. #leadershipcoaching #presence