Beware of the Office Zombie: 5 Ways To Prevent the ‘Working Dead’

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Do Your Employees Hate Work?

When great employees don’t get what they need to thrive, they wither and become a zombie before your eyes.

Has your previously amazing rock star employee turned into one of the ‘working dead’..... that quit, but stayed?

How would you know if you have disengaged employees?

Sometimes, it is not very obvious. Zombie employees may get sick frequently; they may complain or stew about issues more; they are more detached; they increase the number of breaks or take a long time to accomplish work; or, they seem more frustrated or annoyed.
 
When team members, who were previously quite involved and full of life, become quiet or just don't bother trying anymore - there is a good chance they're checking out. 

It is becoming quite an epidemic.
 
According to Gallup less than 13% of employees are an engaged worldwide – that means many people hate their jobs. With a concerted effort you can bring them back from the brink while preventing the further demise of your very best people. ​

Top 5 Actions to Fend Off The Office Zombie Take Over:
 
1. Provide Feedback & Guidance
Great employees are often given ‘atta boys’ and ‘keep doing what you’re doing’ pats on the back yet, what they really crave is your candid feedback and guidance so they can stretch and grow. 

They want to know what things to focus on, not just hear platitudes like ‘good job’. Real candid feedback is a great gift when given with the sincere wish to help others develop their full potential. 

Check out the statistics in this Forbes article: The Best Gift Leaders Can Give.  This the single most valuable tool in your tool kit so take time to learn how to develop the art of candid feedback!

ACTION: Pick up the book Radical Candor by Kim Scott, its an easy read and there is so many tips and tricks you can use.
 
2. Offer Interesting Work & Personal Development
Employees want to to be given opportunity and support to do work that they love to do. 

In Daniel Pink - Drive’s book and You Tube RSA he points out that when people are able to develop mastery in a subject that is meaningful to them, they would literally work for free! 

ACTION: Take time to reflect upon each of your team members. Ask yourself - what they are great at and what development or interesting work would be good for them?

Validate assumptions with them in your 1:1 meetings, then make a plan to enable the kind of personal development that is most meaningful for them.
 
3. Be A Considerate Leader
Close colleagues and family are important to each of us;  we want to work with a manager who realizes there is more in our life than just work, work, work (cue Rhianna) and who cares about our personal situations.

Each and everyone of us juggles both work and personal lives!! The best leaders always take an interest in their employee’s lives (not too much though), they make a point to know the names of their loved ones and ask about them because they actually care. 

ACTION: Give your team the support they need to maintain social and family life and you'll have great return on that investment.

Demonstrate your support - send notes, flowers or gift baskets when something significant happens in their life, it always makes the difference to great performers - they feel seen.
 
4. Always Follow Through
Simple rule – Do what you say you’re going to do!!   Living up to your own commitments with your team is a very simple yet profound non verbal 'statement' that you can be trusted.  Live by your word; demonstrate they can trust you to fulfill any promises or agreements you sign up for. 

It’s the little things that really add up and count!!  Nothing squashes loyalty faster than a boss that never follows through.  

ACTION:  Always make a note of anything you commit to, with anyone for that matter, but especially your team; review your list and follow through or manage expectations if it takes time. Under promise and over deliver.
 
5. Encourage Innovation
Create a work environment that allows people to fail – give them ownership to try new things with a safety net.  Problem solving together as a team and innovating collectively feeds the spirit with hope for a new and fulfilling future. 

Billionaire Richard Branson and his company the Virgin Group openly ‘encourage, giving people the freedom to fail and try again’.  Richard believes ‘successful companies encourage risk-taking and reward ingenuity.’

​No wonder so many people yearn to work with them!

ACTION: Plan a meeting at least once a year to solve problems as a team. These can be workshops with simulations, or a session that is facilitated around business strategy and goal-setting where you involve them in the planning.

Encourage and build innovation into these discussions.
 
If you want to prevent a 'working dead' environment from manifesting, Dots Leadership Solutions can help identify what you can't see!! 

​We offer one on one leadership coaching to help you create a positive work experience for both you and your team.
 
We also offer confidential sessions as an objective partner, meeting each of your team (small group or individually), delving in and uncovering hidden issues that may inhibit motivation, causing the potential zombie uprising. 

For proven strategies to build back engagement, give us a call at Dots Leadership Solutions!