leadership skills that need improvement,
leaders can learn more effective strategies for long term planning and conflict
resolution. 9, 26 This would result in acquiring leadership skills that can improve a
manager’s overall effectiveness.
Burnout and Morale
Although some believe monetary resources must be used to increase morale
and satisfaction, the majority of findings
indicate factors that are leadership and
organizational oriented could improve
staff morale and reduce staff burnout,
an employee’s feeling of discouragement,
dissatisfaction, and decline in effectiveness in their work. 13, 17, 21 Employee burnout is a growing concern for managers,
especially since staff is often asked to do
more with less.
One study found that organizational
adjustments that need little or no additional resources, such as fair distribution
of tasks and leadership support, increase
staff morale and decrease levels of burnout. 21 Increases in morale and reduction
in employee burnout include these variables: sufficient staffing, effective training,
leadership support, fair distribution of
tasks, and career promotion opportunities. This study found improvement in
staff morale and reduction in burnout was
significantly associated with staff receiving
personal recognition, career promotion
opportunities, and skill development
opportunities from leaders.
Conclusions
Employee motivation and morale will be
improved when managers understand that
each employee is unique and motivated
differently. Keeping in mind the intrinsic
and extrinsic motivation theories, manag-
ers have helpful tools to improve motiva-
tion among staff. Once this is understood
and capitalized upon, staff morale will
increase. 13, 15, 23 When managers improve
their leadership behaviors to increase staff
morale, they must use a mixture of trans-
formational leadership behaviors and
transactional contingent rewards to maxi-
mize effectiveness. 7 Managers recognizing
their staff for accomplishments, knowl-
edge, and skills are effective in improving
motivation and morale. 14, 22
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