Do you have problems with morale in your team? Does the fact that you ask someone to do some work, any work, seem to be a great problem to them? If so, you might be forgiven for thinking that people just don’t like work. But you’d be wrong. Motivated people love work. They just need a worthy cause.
Why is it that retired men return to work in droves? Most of it appears to be low paid or volunteer work. I know a retired engineer who now spends days slaving away restoring a steam engine in a museum. Women who work in charity shops. Armies of people who descend on stately homes and show tourists round day after day. And I bet you know lots more like them. So, actually, people want to work. They want to be part of something. Maybe they just don’t feel part of something in your team? If this is the case, then there’s an easy solution. Turn them into paid volunteers.
An un-tapped resource
Most CAD or creative people sit there all day thinking about how they can do their job better. They’ve got bags of ideas and energy to give, but they may feel stifled by your dictatorial management style! So give, give, give responsibilities back to them. But be there for them to support them and help pick up the pieces whenever they get into trouble. View yourself as a guide and overseer rather than a leader or manager, and you’ll gain respect. Turn “me” into “we” and see what happens.
We all want to be part of the rescue effort
In this current recession, be honest about the trouble your business or team is in. Be open about the redundancies seen in other firms, or other teams, or their team. Tell them you’re out of your depth without them, but you sure could do with some help. Maybe they will volunteer their hard work, ideas, and passion to be part of the rescue effort.
The Association for Consulting Engineers has just published the results of a survey into engineering recruitment. The report can be downloaded at the following link:
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