1 Introduction

Why do the simplest things seem so hard sometimes? The way to improve Morale is to ask your staff what they need in order to work more effectively. This is not asking "What do you need in your life?" or "Who drives you up a wall?" or "How can we make you glad to be alive?" Rather, it's asking "What tools, resources, clearer communications and expectations, rewards and workplace norms do you need that you are not getting now? How can we help you fulfil your part of this bargain to be effective, efficient, optimistic, and a good team player?"

Managers can do this on their own or get some help with the task. If you ask these questions yourself, the advantage is that you don't have to involve anybody else and risk having your office laundry hung out to dry. The disadvantage is you'll seldom get the whole truth that way.