When employees start a new job at a new organization, they have an abundance of excitement and can’t wait to hit the ground running. A few years down the road, it’s important to try to keep that excitement and that positive energy throughout your staff. Here are a few signs that you need to think about reigniting that spark of excitement with your employees:
1. They stop taking initiative
Look out for employees that stop stepping up to take on new projects or contribute new ideas to grow within the company. They may be feeling burned out or stagnant in their position. This is a sign that they may need a break from work or a significant shift in their daily routine. Keeping an open dialogue about goals, and highlights and lowlights about their current position and workload, can help to keep them motivated.
2. Losing interest in their work and/or the company
Employees may look bored and tuned out in staff meetings, or they may start showing up late with the quality of their work suffering. You can start to fix some of these issues by pushing them more within the company. They may just need a bit more responsibility to get them inspired with a forward-thinking mindset. These employees may also need to be reprimanded for poor performance to set your work standards, and/or complimented for a job well done to keep them on track.
3. Cynicism and negative attitude
Workplace chatter between employees can spread into your overall company culture. The mindset of a small group or a couple of individuals can easily spread to the larger group, even to new hires. Being aware of the items that your employees are complaining about is imperative; you want to show your employees you care about their opinions and make any necessary changes as soon as possible. This may require you to change your management style, or it might even result in staffing changes and rehiring.
Overall, employees you want in your company will be engaged in their work and the company. That being said, the sooner you can point out any negative habits, the easier it will be to keep your team motivated and successful.
