What can you do as an employer to energize your employees and improve morale in the process? A lot! Simply ask for their opinions, provide them with the necessary information in a timely fashion and involve them in the decision-making process, especially when those decisions affect them or their jobs.

As an employer, become personally involved both in the workplace and with the jobs that your employees do. This can release a tremendous amount of energy among your workers. In many instances when a new hire enters the practice, they are shown their workstation and are expected to get right to work without the proper training. This immediately elicits a stress reaction and negative impression of the office. Instead, all staff members should welcome the new hire to the team and help acclimate him or her to the practice. For example, if the new hire is part of the administrative staff, perhaps a small plant placed strategically on his or her desk along with a note personally welcoming the new member to the team makes for a pleasant touch. Obviously all the necessary supplies have been ordered beforehand and are ready for the new hire’s arrival.

Empowerment and autonomy gives employees responsibility and some authority to get their job done. Employees want to feel trusted and valued as a member of the practice. When they are granted independence, not only can you, the employer, concentrate on other issues, but also the employees can make better decisions, become happier and ultimately more productive.

Encourage employees to thrive on positive action rather than focus on mistakes. Now the office environment becomes a better place to work because the employees are empowered to make their own decisions. There is the freedom to think, and it is fun!

Team spirit takes more than designating team members and giving them an assignment. Successful teams are infused with energy that pulls them together to reach the common goal. Ultimately, you want a practice to come together as a whole and not as individual parts. The team approach tackles problem solving by involving each employee in a cross-training program.

Staff meetings can be a golden opportunity to energize employees. Meetings bring together employees to discuss and deal with issues of common interest. Sometimes simply setting up the meeting and asking employees to contribute can be energizing in itself. Unfortunately, all too often, business meetings are unproductive and a waste of time. Employees come unprepared, agendas and goals are unclear, and some employees can dominate the meeting.

Conduct meetings around specific issues and brainstorm solutions. It is important to begin and end all meetings on time regardless of late or absent employees. Do not allow team members to interrupt one another or allow outside distractions, including telephone calls, to disrupt the meeting.

Employee ownership of the practice creates a sense of pride and belonging among employees. They are more likely to work for the practice’s financial health in whatever they can versus the employees who only have a paycheck to show for their efforts. If you cannot give your employees a financial stake in your practice, provide a sense of ownership by doing the following:

- Make sure the employees know what the practice stands for, its purpose and values.

- Be certain your employees know how their job fits into the larger picture of the practice and its goals.

- Give everyone business cards and encourage employees to contribute their ideas and let them develop the idea to its fruition.