Mulling Over Morale

Caught this cheery little guy last spring across the streetI've been reflecting this week on morale.

Merriam-Webster--it's always wise to begin with definitions when thinking conceptually--defines morale as "the mental and emotional condition (as of enthusiasm, confidence, or loyalty) of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand." That would mean, logically, that when your morale is high, you're enthusiastic, confident and loyal to someone or something. If your morale is low, you're uninspired, distrustful and disconnected.

Over the course of my work life, I've heard people make statements like, "Such and such will cause low morale, so we can't do that," or "There's low morale in our group because so-and-so did such-and-such." It seems like it's always related to the work place. You don't hear people say, "I have low morale in my family," or "My spouse causes me to have low morale."

What has made me somewhat suspicious of such comments is that they seem extrinsically driven. Be it at work or in my home, my morale shouldn't be a leverage to get someone to do what I want done, or to make them "pay" for doing something I don't approve of. My morale should be my chosen approach to life, not a casualty of someone else's actions or lack of them, as though I were some hapless victim. In other words, my morale is my responsibility, not someone else's.

As with most states of mind, your morale says more about you than it says about anything else.

Having said that, there are some personal human needs related to elements of morale, and I think there are things we can do to make it easier for people around us to live with high morale.

I went on a search for information, and found some that spoke with the ring of authenticity. One study of the workplace showed that the top morale buster was a "lack of open, honest communication." The second highest morale buster was "failure to recognize employee achievements," followed by "excessive workloads for extended periods." Hmmm. Turn that around, and you can identify three basic human needs that can need to be met, whether in the workplace or in the family:

Openness and honesty.

Appreciation.

A helping hand.

I remember working for a boss who took some of my cheery, impulsive comments as criticisms even though they weren't meant that way. I eventually found myself tiptoeing around her, being careful what I said and not sharing certain things in order to avoid pained or jealous-sounding responses. I was happy and I loved my job, but it would have been easier if we could have been open and honest.

With another boss, I often went the extra mile without recognition, sometimes not by my own choice. I was single, and my boss or other teachers would say, "Oh, I need to get home to my family; will you lock up?" And there I was, trudging around campus alone late on a Friday afternoon, checking doors. At other times I might do something creative or solve a thorny problem effectively, and there was no comment from the boss. I remember craving some gesture of appreciation, some recognition of the effort I was putting in. When I moved to my next job and a colleague first shared approving words, it felt so good I nearly wept. And yet, I had loved my work at the old school where I'd locked up so often. It just would have been much harder to move away if I'd perceived more recognition and appreciation from my boss.

A helping hand is that third morale-lifter. In my current job I've worked with colleagues who will pitch in and take on a project when my load is overwhelming, or will share willingly in tough decision-making tasks so I don't feel alone with the burden. It makes a world of difference. Or I've invited students over to my home when I'm busy, and they help cook and clean up. It just makes you want to put forth the effort all over again the next day.

Morale. It's your own responsibility, regardless of circumstances. On the other hand, it can make a world of difference for those around you at work or home if you simply tend to those basic human interactive needs: openness and honesty, appreciation, and a helping hand.

And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. (1 Thess. 5:12-15, Message)