How Do You Keep Your Team Motivated During Tough Times?
Navigating challenging periods requires keeping your team motivated and engaged, a task that CEOs and founders know well. From fostering purpose and open communication to boosting morale with engaging team events, we’ve compiled eleven strategies from seasoned leaders to help maintain your team’s motivation during tough times.
- Foster Purpose and Open Communication
- Empower with Transparency and Ownership
- Regular Check-Ins and Celebrate Wins
- Set Short-Term Goals and Recognize Efforts
- Encourage Radical Project Ownership
- Cultivate Community with Mindfulness Sessions
- Create a Clear Vision with Tangible Goals
- Host Casual Remote Zoom Lunches
- Acknowledge Struggles and Celebrate Small Wins
- Recharge with Fun Team-Building Activities
- Boost Morale with Engaging Team Events
Foster Purpose and Open Communication
Keeping the team motivated and engaged during tough times starts with fostering a sense of purpose and connection to our mission. One strategy that has proven highly effective is maintaining open and transparent communication throughout challenging periods. When the team understands the bigger picture and how their contributions are vital to our long-term success, they remain engaged and committed, even when facing difficulties.
During tough times, I make it a priority to regularly update the team on both challenges and successes, ensuring that no one feels left in the dark. Additionally, we encourage feedback and collaboration, allowing the team to feel empowered and involved in problem-solving. This not only strengthens their connection to our shared goals but also creates a sense of ownership and collective resilience. By staying transparent and focusing on the bigger mission, we keep the team motivated and united through adversity.
Jamie Frew
CEO, Carepatron
Empower with Transparency and Ownership
We over-communicate during tough times, creating a sense of transparency and ownership. When things get rocky, I make sure that everyone on the team knows exactly what’s happening
both the good and the bad. By sharing challenges openly, it empowers the team to feel involved in problem-solving rather than sidelined by uncertainty. This sense of ownership creates a collective momentum where everyone feels invested in overcoming the hurdles together.
Alari Aho
CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Regular Check-Ins and Celebrate Wins
One strategy that has worked for us is implementing regular check-ins that focus on work and well-being.
During these check-ins, I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and feelings, personally and professionally. It creates an open environment where team members feel heard and supported. We also celebrate small wins, whether it’s completing a project or simply overcoming a challenge. Recognizing each other’s efforts fosters a sense of camaraderie and keeps morale high.
I also like to introduce creative breaks. These could be anything from a virtual coffee chat to a fun team-building exercise. These moments of levity help everyone recharge and remind us why we love what we do.
By prioritizing communication and connection, we build resilience together. When the team feels valued and supported, they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated, even when the going gets tough. It’s all about creating a culture where everyone feels they’re part of the journey, and that makes all the difference!
Danielle Hu
Founder, The Wanderlover
Set Short-Term Goals and Recognize Efforts
I believe that it’s important to maintain open and honest communication with everyone, providing regular updates on the company’s situation and our plans to navigate through difficulties. I also make sure to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of my employees, especially when times are tough. This helps foster a sense of unity and shared purpose, reminding everyone that we’re all in this together.
One strategy I’ve found particularly effective is setting short-term, achievable goals. During challenging periods, it’s easy for employees to feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the bigger picture. This approach not only helps maintain momentum but also boosts morale as team members see tangible progress. Also, I encourage my team to share their ideas and suggestions for improvement, empowering them to be part of the solution and reinforcing their value to the company.
Ben Whitmarsh
Owner and Managing Director, Generators for Export
Encourage Radical Project Ownership
One strategy that has consistently kept my team motivated during tough times is the practice of radical ownership. I encourage every team member to take complete ownership of their projects—both the successes and the setbacks. When people know they have the freedom to make decisions and the responsibility to see them through, they become more invested in the outcomes. This sense of ownership fosters a deeper connection to the work and drives the team to push through challenges with resilience and creativity.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Cultivate Community with Mindfulness Sessions
In challenging times, fostering a sense of community is essential. Regularly gathering for group meditations or mindfulness sessions can create a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels connected and valued. For example, we recently held a team session where we shared our experiences and intentions, which not only boosted morale but also reinforced our commitment to each other and our clients. This practice has cultivated resilience and a shared purpose, helping us navigate tough times together.
Hajnalka Nagy
Business Owner | Reiki Healer, Cosmic Self
Create a Clear Vision with Tangible Goals
One strategy I use to keep my team motivated during tough times is creating a clear vision of success, even in adversity. During the early stages of my telecommunications company, we faced a period where sales dropped, and morale was low. Rather than focus on the obstacles, I rallied the team by setting tangible, short-term goals tied to a larger vision of growth. We broke down our objectives into weekly targets, so everyone could see immediate progress, which helped shift the focus from challenges to achievements.
This approach drastically increased engagement. Each team member became more invested because they could see how their individual efforts were directly impacting our path forward. Output rose by 40% within two months, as everyone started to work with a renewed sense of purpose and momentum. The successful turnaround wasn’t just due to a strategy shift, but because people felt they were part of something bigger, even in difficult times.
Ronald Osborne
Founder, Ronald Osborne Business Coach
Host Casual Remote Zoom Lunches
I like to do Zoom lunches since my staff is all remote at different locations. It is a casual way to enjoy each other’s company while discussing information.
Sharon George
Director of Nutrition
Acknowledge Struggles and Celebrate Small Wins
When times get tough, keeping the team motivated really boils down to open communication and showing genuine support. One strategy I always rely on is acknowledging the struggle while keeping the bigger picture in focus. It’s important not to sugarcoat things—people appreciate honesty. So, I make it a point to acknowledge that, yes, things are challenging, but I also remind the team of our shared goals and how their work directly contributes to something meaningful.
At the same time, I encourage celebrating small wins along the way. Even during rough patches, there are always little victories that can be recognized. This helps keep morale up and shows the team that their efforts are still moving the needle, even if progress feels slower than usual.
It’s amazing how far a little transparency, appreciation, and focus can go in keeping everyone engaged when times are tough.
Tanya Isaacs
Svp & Chief Human Resources Officer, The New Jewish Home
Recharge with Fun Team-Building Activities
A great way to keep your team motivated during tough times is to take them out of their usual work routine with a fun team-building activity. By stepping away from the office and doing something enjoyable together, team members can reconnect and build stronger relationships. This helps everyone relax, recharge, and remember the bigger picture. Whether it’s a group challenge or a casual outing, changing the environment helps boost team spirit and keeps everyone focused on their shared goals.
Hanna Kanabiajeuskaja
CEO, Spaciously
Boost Morale with Engaging Team Events
Having worked with most of the FTSE 500 since we were established, my firsthand experience is that the biggest companies in the world focus on fostering a strong culture of communication and connection. One effective strategy is to implement regular team-building activities. Given the current challenges many organizations face, especially those with remote or hybrid teams, these activities can be crucial in maintaining morale and collaboration.
For example, we recently organized an escape room activity that required team members to work together to solve puzzles and challenges. Not only did this encourage collaboration and problem-solving, but it also provided a fun and engaging break from routine tasks. This experience allowed team members to connect on a personal level, strengthening their relationships and boosting overall morale.
Research shows that companies maintaining high levels of employee engagement can see significant benefits, including a 21% increase in profitability and a 59% decrease in turnover. By investing in team-building initiatives, organizations can enhance communication and collaboration, identify future leaders, and ultimately create a more resilient workforce. During challenging times, it’s essential to prioritize these connections to ensure teams remain motivated and productive.
Charles Berry
Director, Zing Events Limited
