Lethargy at work is a common problem that has a significant impact on productivity. It is caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Government/political negativity
- Employer’s problems as reported or as shown by the stressed senior executive meetings
- Media negativity – we’re all doomed! Speculation, not News, services
- Personal and family problems
- Unsupportive or negative work environment
- Not achieving the Goldilocks’s Work Stress Level – not too much and not too little
Lethargy has a big impact. For the individual, it can lead to feelings of frustration, boredom, and dissatisfaction. It may also lead to decreased productivity, increased errors, and increased accidents. For the organisation, lethargy can lead to decreased profits, increased staff turnover, and decreased customer satisfaction.
There are many things to do that address lethargy at work. Some of these are:
- Making work more interesting and challenging
- Creating a positive and supportive work environment
- Providing employees with support for personal problems
- Managing stress levels – the Goldilocks Solution
Employers must address lethargy by providing non-financial rewards from work. These rewards include:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunities for training and development
- Public recognition for accomplishments
- Opportunities to take on new challenges
- A sense of purpose and meaning in the work itself
Transformational leadership is an effective way to address lethargy at work. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate people to become their best selves. They do this by creating a vision for the future, setting clear meta-goals, and providing employees with the support they need to succeed.
By addressing the factors that contribute to lethargy at work, employers build a more productive and positive work environment.
Don’t forget when you make more profit, your people deserve their share. Don’t be greedy and don’t abuse their newfound willingness.
Your people won’t give you a second chance.