Sensitive leadership improves staff morale

Employees can be sensitive to the attitudes displayed by managers towards different departments, with simple acts of courtesy going a long way towards fostering a comfortable and productive workplace environment.

If a leader arrives to a meeting on time and organised, it says to the other attendees that they are focused on working with them - and that they value their time and input.

Conversely, if a manager is pointedly late, workers may feel that they are being put upon - that their superiors are not committed to the task at hand, perhaps enjoying their irritation at being made to wait.

The same situation can occur when commendations are made on departmental performance, with leadership development often promoting the use of praise as a motivating tool.

When a savvy leader goes the distance to find out who was truly responsible for a team win, the entire business unit will come to respect them for their honest interest.

However, if a manager simply praises the department head or team leader, it may give other employees reason to feel overlooked - breeding further discontent.

Leaders who value their staff members will find that they are able to gain increased commitment simply by being sensitive to how their attitudes impact on employee morale.