Motivation Through Balance - Part II

In last week’s blog, we discussed the fact that more and more employees are citing Work/Life balance as a key factor in their professional and personal satisfaction and that Work/Life balance can mean various things to the different generations and to specific individuals.

As I mentioned last week, I believe it is important for companies to pay close attention to these differences and to how employees are spending their time away from the office.

While employees cite the need for time away from work as valuable and important, you can actually strengthen the bonds between your employees and your company by understanding how your employees spend their time and encouraging that behavior and removing roadblocks from their achieving the balance they want and need.

For example, let’s say that a survey of your employees indicates a strong social consciousness and a desire to give back to the community. Knowing that, you could contact local volunteer organizations to find projects that would interest your team and encourage your employees to participate. This has the dual benefits of helping the community while building teamwork among your employees. In addition, by showing that you are socially conscious yourself, your team members will begin to build more trust in you.

Or, let’s say you discover that your team members have a strong desire to hike on weekends. You could organize and coordinate hikes for your team and their family members. These hikes would not be “company sponsored,” but they would be made available to interested employees. This is not unlike the old concept of the “Company Softball Team.” By encouraging the activities that your employees want to do outside of the office, you are allowing them to recharge their own batteries and building team spirit at the same time.

Clearly this can be a win-win.

I should note here that it is important to get a strong grip on what your employees want to do, and not just guess at the activities or follow the lead of one or two outspoken employees. Encouraging activities that appear to be arbitrary or contrived could leave your team feeling manipulated or lead them to believe that you are out of touch with what they desire in their lives.

Creating balance for your team members is good for them, and it is good for your business. It leaves the employees refreshed and ready for new challenges and can create new levels of teamwork that would not otherwise be possible.


At ECI Learning Systems LLC, we are dedicated to helping companies get the greatest return from their most valuable asset: their employees. We work with you to align 3 key organizational factors:

• Your Company Culture
• The Leadership Styles of your key managers
• The Expectations of your Employees

When these 3 factors are aligned, you create an energy in your company that improves productivity, reduces absenteeism, increases creativity, and positively impacts your bottom line. Contact ECI Learning Systems LLC today to get your free Workplace Evaluation.


Until next time.....

Dave Meyer
ECI Learning Systems, LLC
http://www.ecilearning.com/