Keeping staff motivated at work can be one of the most difficult aspects of managing a team, but we can’t stress its importance enough. Companies know that these days low morale means low retention. Today, we take a look at 14 ways you can boost morale at your workplace.

Here’s what we’ll be looking at today:

1. Recognition awards ceremony
2. Wall of wins
3. Book club
4. Weekly wellness challenge
5. Gratitude jar
6. Lunch and learn sessions
7. Virtual videogame nights
8. Themed dress up day
9. Morning coffee guessing game
10. Volunteer activities
11. Monthly happy hours
12. Weekly TV show outcomes
13. Sip ‘n’ paint after work
14. Organize a moral boosting team retreat

What is team morale?

So let’s take a moment to understand exactly what team morale is. Morale is the confidence and enthusiasm a person has at any one time. In business, this would be how much confidence your employees have in the company itself. So team morale is exactly that, as well as the confidence each person has in the team they are a part of.

Think back to that time your team hit those quarterly targets and ended up doing a victory dance around the conference table. Or when your project crew pulled an all-nighter, fueled by pizza and teamwork, and smashed that deadline. That's what good team morale is. It's not just about getting the job done; it's about doing it together, having each other's backs, and celebrating those wins like they're Super Bowl touchdowns.

What affects team morale?

Here are some team morale dampeners no company should overlook:

• Communication breakdowns: Whether in business or our personal lives, no one likes being kept in the dark without communication. We feel lost, and we feel like we are trying to build something without instructions.
• Leadership styles: Think of leaders as the conductors of the orchestra. Effective leaders orchestrate support and vision to energize their team members, which leads to a harmonious and productive workplace melody.
• Recognition (or lack thereof): Everyone wants their moment in the spotlight. Forget the applause, and the show just doesn't feel worth it.
• Workload woes: That ever-important work/life balance. Too much, and we're drowning. Too little, and we're snoozing. Balance is the name of the game.

With these factors taken into consideration, let’s look at 14 real, practical ways you can have team morale soaring in your workplace.

1. Recognition awards ceremony 

Throw a monthly or quarterly awards bash to show your shining stars some recognition. We can jazz it up with categories like Mastermind of Creativity, MVP of Team Spirit, or Customer Care Champ. Now, it's time to give them the recognition they deserve, but we're not talking about a boring old pat on the back. 

Roll out the red carpet (metaphorically speaking), and announce the winners with certificates or sweet little tokens of appreciation. Like your very own mini Oscars night, celebrating the real MVPs - your amazing team!

Pro Tip: Award gifts you know your employees will love. Get to know what they like and give them the chance to win it! 

2. Wall of wins 

Imagine your staff strolling into the office, Monday morning, coffee in hand, ready to tackle the day. But instead of the usual workplace aesthetics, they’re met with an explosion of color and energy—a wall adorned with sticky notes brimming with victories. The ball is in your court for which victories to celebrate, however big or small. From sealing that big deal to finally conquering that tricky software, every triumph can have its moment in the spotlight. This builds upon and solidifies team culture. Celebrate those wins as a group!.

Pro Tip: it's not just about the notes themselves. It's about the personal touches, too. Maybe there's a goofy doodle next to one note or a candid snapshot capturing the moment of triumph.

3. Book club

Who says work can't be both productive and fun? Enter the workplace book club, where a good read is not just encouraged but celebrated. This will help expand group horizons while bonding over a shared love for the written word. Set the frequency, decide if you’re going to meet monthly, bimonthly or quarterly.

Pro Tip: Let everyone have a say in book choices, giving a diverse mix of genres to cater to all tastes. From thrilling mysteries to heartwarming memoirs, variety makes each meeting a delightful adventure.

4. Weekly wellness challenges 

Imagine your workplace buzzing with excitement every week, not just because it's Friday (although, let's be real, Fridays are always great), but because it's time for a new wellness challenge. We're talking about little nudges towards better physical and mental health. One week, it might be a step challenge. You know, who can take the most steps throughout the week? It's not a competition, per se, but more like a friendly nudge to get moving.

Pro Tip: It’s important for wellness to come with incentives. Employee benefits for participating and achieving those wellness goals. An extra day of holiday for consistently practicing mindfulness could also be a winner. 

5. Gratitude jar 

Encourage your staff to share some gratuity with each other. Place a jar in the middle of the office and encourage them to drop a note in the jar at any time! This simple yet powerful fuels positivity, and who doesn't love a little pick-me-up in the form of heartfelt appreciation?

Pro Tip: Make your weekly team meetings even more special by adding a gratitude moment to the agenda. Gather your staff together, pull out a few notes from the jar, and share in those motivational vibes together.

6. Lunch and learn sessions

Spice up the work week with some fun and learning rolled into one. Organize regular lunch and learn sessions where team members can come together to share knowledge, skills, or hobbies. These informal sessions promote continuous learning and allow team members to bond over shared interests.

Pro Tip: It would be great to mix things up a bit and take the gang out to lunch. Fresh air, tasty grub, and stimulating conversation – what's not to love? Plus, it gives everyone a chance to shine as a presenter and bond over some delicious bites.

7. Virtual videogame night

Who says you need to be in the same room to bond? Nowadays, with remote teams scattered far and wide, you might find that the traditional office water cooler chats just don't cut it. Have a group of 4 install the wildly popular Overcooked videogame, and watch the culinary mayhem unfold. These activities help the team grow despite physical distance.

Pro Tip: Keep up with the ever-growing list of websites that host remote multiplayer games, such as Blooket and Baamboozle, as well as checking user-reviews on Steam of the most popular online multi-player problem solving games.

8. Themed dress-up days

A playful employee morale booster that could really light up the office is themed dress-up days. Imagine one day a member of staff donning a Batman cape and mask for Superhero Day. The month after, they’re rocking 80s bell-bottoms and tie-dye for Favorite Decade Day. It injects a shot of fun right into the workweek, great for a Friday morning. Plus, it gives everyone a chance to showcase their creativity beyond spreadsheets and presentations.

Pro tip: Sweeten the deal with some friendly competition. Throw in some small prizes for the best-dressed folks. Suddenly, everyone's game is upped, and the office buzzes with excitement.

9. Morning coffee guessing-game

On a bright and early Monday morning most of your staff might need a caffeine fix. Why not make the most of this and add a dash of excitement into the routine? Ask one coffee-loving soul in the workplace to brew a pot of coffee for the office. But instead of revealing the type of coffee, they keep it a secret. Is it a bold Vietnamese roast? A smooth Ethiopian blend? Mystery creates taking points and bonding moments where staff guess with each other.

Pro tip: During the mid-morning break or team huddle, the brewmaster unveils the mystery bean, the closest guess wins a coveted prize – perhaps a free coffee voucher or title of Chief Coffee Connoisseur for the day!

10. Volunteer activities

Organizing volunteer activities is a fantastic way to boost team morale, as well as a way to measure team morale. Start by polling employees to find causes they're passionate about. Then, set up volunteer days with local charities or organize donation drives. This allows teams to make a positive impact outside of the office, bringing a sense of wellbeing and improving that 0h-so-important team morale.

Pro tip: Spark some office cheer by spreading the love! Share those heartwarming tales and snapshots from the adventures on your office chat or bulletin board. It'll keep the good vibes flowing and get everyone pumped for the next big volunteer bash!

11. Monthly happy hour

Organizing a monthly team social gathering serves as an effective morale booster. To get the party started, pick a date that suits everyone's schedule – Fridays are always a hit. Choose a cozy spot where everyone can unwind, whether it's a local bar or a chill café. Provide some appetizers and beverages to enhance the ambiance. This cultivates team cohesion, and gives some informal but important stress relief.

Pro tip: To take the emphasis off alcohol, many bars are combining fun ideas into their designs, such as video game corners. Cheers to boosting team morale and engaging employees!

12. Weekly TV show outcomes

At the heart of a thriving workplace is a team that's not just colleagues, but friends. That's where the Monthly TV Show Outcomes activity comes in. Gather everyone in the break room with snacks aplenty and screens tuned to the latest episode of X Factor or the big game. Teams can make their predictions, sparking friendly banter. Cheers erupt for the winners and groans for the not-so-lucky. It's a simple yet effective way to boost low morale.

Pro Tip: Rotate the responsibility for organizing the event among team members each month to keep things fresh, and for a real mix of TV material!

13. Sip ‘n’ paint after work

Organizing a Sip 'n' paint session after work is a surefire way to uplift team spirits and ignite creativity in the workplace. Simply set a convenient date, gather painting supplies alongside everyone's favorite tea choices, and transform a common area into a cozy studio. 

With brushes, tea, and laughter in the mix, your team will paint the town red (or any color they fancy), creating memories and boosting morale like never before.

Pro tip: Consider enlisting a local artist to guide the session. Their tips and tricks will turn the session into an unforgettable masterpiece of fun and bonding.

14. Organise a morale-boosting retreat 

Imagine the whole team kicking back on the sun-drenched beaches of Portugal, diving into some fun team-building activities. It's like hitting the refresh button. Everyone gets to step out of the office bubble, share a few laughs, and really get to know each other in a relaxed setting. This kind of getaway not only breaks the routine but also knits the team closer, creating a vibe that's all about unity and mutual respect. When we head back to work, that high spirit and sense of togetherness make tackling projects together a whole lot smoother and more enjoyable.

Love these ideas but not sure how to organize a company-wide retreat? Let Surf Office help! 

There’s no denying it, organizing one of these retreats isn’t a walk in the park. Allow us at Surf Office to lend a hand. So why are we so confident? Well, we’ve had the pleasure of organizing over 700+ team-building retreat experiences, including for all-hands meetings, for many different companies. Here’s how what we offer:

• Des transferts sans stress ? On vous a eu ! ✅
• Un hébergement de qualité assuré ? Fait ✅
• Engageant activités de développement de team building? Notre spécialité ✅
• Réservations de restaurant ? C'est pour nous ! ✅
• Assistance experte pour la planification d'un séminaire ? Bien sûr, nous avons tout prévu ! ✅
• Un accompagnement sur site, adapté à vos besoins ? Absolument ✅

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Not only this but we also have access to 150+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, and Latin America, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.

Facilitez le team building et laissez-nous gérer la logistique fastidieuse ! Réservez dès maintenant, les places sont limitées !