Teamwork.
Peer
Support -- Keeping the Spirit Alive
By Christine Corelli, the
"Sales-Service Excellence" Expert
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You've heard the expression "no one is
an island unto himself." We all need help and support through life.
In today's business climate, this statement has never been more
accurate. Companies are requiring more work from fewer staff and
have higher performance requirements, while resources that help
maintain high morale have been trimmed or eliminated. Under these
conditions, business professionals are experiencing higher levels of
job stress and many companies are finding it difficult to maintain
high morale. There's an essential team skill companies can apply
that can help. It's called peer support.
Peer support is simply an aspect of a company culture which requires
that all individuals help, support and reaffirm each other, work
together to solve problems, and ultimately, maintain high
performance. Territorialism, pettiness, gossip, passing the buck,
and competitiveness does not exist. Neither does the phrase, "It's
not my job."
How does a company instill peer support and how do people practice
it?
To provide an internal boost to morale, peer support must be
promoted and demonstrated by management and practiced by all. It
goes without saying that it must be genuine.
The best way to start is to use your eyes and ears, and rely on your
EARS as your guide:
Encourage, Appreciate, Respond and Support.
• Encourage.
It is a basic human need for people to feel a sense of approval,
accomplishment and fulfillment in their work. When you see someone
who is working hard and doing their best, give them all the positive
reinforcement you can. It doesn't have to be formal, it can simply
be a compliment such as, "Joe, you've been working so diligently on
that project, but if there's anyone who can get the job done, it's
you." (Of course, use your own style.) Regardless of your job
position or status, make it a habit to communicate this way often.
Here's why: When you make positive comments it brings out the best
in others and yourself. And, each time you say something
encouraging, you are putting a small surge of positive energy into
that person and into your company.
• Appreciate.
It's always gratifying to hear positive reinforcement such as, "I
admire the way you handled that issue at the meeting." Make it a
habit to show others that you value and appreciate them. Let them
know that you appreciate not only what they do for you, but also for
your department and your company. And don't forget, your boss needs
your support and to be appreciated, too.
• Respond.
If you see someone who appears to be under stress, don't ignore it.
It shows you care about the well-being of those around you.
Sometimes just talking about an issue or concern helps. Encourage
the person to talk without focusing on "Ain't it tough?" Provide
appropriate support such as, "You always come through, Steve."
• Support.
Help to rekindle the "spirit of your workplace" and focus on making
a difference in your company by encouraging and supporting those
around you. If you make it an all-company effort to practice peer
support, you may find something magical in it.
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is
then burst into flame
by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful
for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
Albert Schweitzer
©Copyright 2003 - Christine Corelli & Associates, Inc.
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