In your workplace

Q

I am a nurse manager and am concerned staff morale is low. Are there cost-effective ways of motivating the nursing team in the absence of a pay rise?

A

I was thrilled to receive this enquiry from a nurse manager. In these difficult and demanding times for the health economy everybody thinks we need to spend money on special events when the manager in any team is the single biggest influence on a team's morale. Here are my seven favourite tips for raising staff morale.

Show integrity. Staff can spot quickly if you are not being honest. Even if you think you are protecting them they will realise you are not to be trusted and become guarded. Distrust destroys loyalty, which means lack of morale.