The beatings will continue until morale improves...

When I was five years old my dad developed a program that helped improve school morale.  This program not only changed the atmosphere of the school he was working it, but it changed our lives and the lives of people throughout the country.  Morale is something that I have always valued, but never actually known because it has always been a part of my life.  I remember spending weekends in the high school gym when I was young helping decorate for pep rallies, then when I was older and a member of the program he started I spent many, many, hours planning events to honor alumna,  recognized students and show appreciation to the school staff.

I have always thought that recognizing people is important, and that you will get people to work harder for you, and be happier about going to work, when they enjoy walking in the door every day.  It doesn't sound like this is a hard concept - but through my experience I have found that this is not the case; and sadly, I think the complete opposite is actually the norm.

I spent three years working for a company that did not make me feel like I was worth anything. I never felt like I was working hard enough, putting in enough hours, to doing anything correct – for three years I felt horrible. The worst part about this situation is that most of my co-workers felt the same way.  Yesterday a former co-worker told me that she was leaving the company, and my reaction was to congratulate her on leaving, not on getting a new position, but on being brave enough to finally leave a place that was making her questions her self-worth.

When we are young, especially my generation, we have always been told that we are special, that we are doing a good job, and given rewards if we accomplish a goal.  Now, I am not asking to get a sticker for doing a good job on my paperwork, but having someone recognize the extra work you are putting in would actually make me work harder. The previous two companies I worked for would bring in lunch on occasion to “thank us” for the hard work we did, but we would then be accepted to work through our lunch, meaning we would be working an 8+ hour day without a break… that is not my idea of a reward.

Some may say that a promotion is the adult version of going to the store and being able to pick out the prize you have earned… but what happens then they say they can’t promote you because you have the top position in your department, but then they create a new position that is above you, without your knowledge, and don’t even consider you for that said position. Again, this type of action does not improve morale. I can tell you from person experience that it is hard to go to work every day when your bosses tell you one thing, then do the complete opposite – why would anyone want to work in that type of situation.

Now I am certain that there are actually companies out there that do make you feel special and make you want to go to work every day – and no you don’t have to work for Google. I currently work for a small company that tells me on a regular basis that I am doing a good job – and that is honestly all it takes.   I wonder what the corporate world would be like if the people in management actually thanked their employees and made them feel like the company needed them to walk through the door because they help make the company a better place, instead of treating their employees like another piece of machinery.

Going to work every day doesn't have to be something that you dread – it should be something that you enjoy. If you are working for a company that makes you not want to get out of bed in the morning, I am telling there are other companies out there that are dying to have you work for them- be brave and start looking for something new. You are an amazing person and you should never have to question that because the company you are working for doesn't appreciate you.  You are smart, you are strong, you are brave, and you deserve to be happy.

You have it all & Confidence,

Lyndsay