EFFECTS OF LOW MORALE ON A PROJECT TEAM

The term “morale” is used to describe the overall feeling in a work centre or project team. Team morale means that self-esteem, assurance, confidence, drive, humour and a good outlook are in abundant supply within a group. When a team exhibits good morale, there is excitement and enthusiasm generated, as well as an optimistic approach toward the team effort and motivation.
Just as there seem to be innumerable causes of low morale within a project team, the impact of low morale also seems to be limitless. Depending upon one’s position on the project team or reporting level within the organization, the impact of poor morale may vary; however, there are generally accepted effects of low morale.
For example, a common sign of low morale is a general dissatisfaction with the organization, lack of interest in the project, and apathy about quality, deliverables, and customer satisfaction. 
 
COST OF LOW MORALE     
Some of the measurable costs of low morale include things like scrap and rework, resulting from poor quality due to negligence, apathy, or general malaise. In environments in which team morale is low, team members often talk about or spend time looking for new opportunities. Should a team member leave due to low morale, consider the cost to the team and the organization as a whole new team members need to be recruited, training may be required, and other internal resources are distracted as they try to bring the new team member up to speed. Some effects are obvious and quantifiable, whereas others are less noticeable and more subjective. Depending upon the cause of the low morale, the effects can spiral out of control very quickly. The effect of low morale can be significant when it leads to team member dissatisfaction that sinks so low that he or she ultimately decides to leave.
In addition, consider the amount of time and money lost due to team members’ emotional and physical health as a result of stress and anxiety, increased absenteeism and lateness, and in extreme cases, outright sabotage. In most environments where morale is low, team members are more self-focused, typically paying little attention to other team members’ needs; however, in a low morale setting, it is not uncommon for team members to feel that the other team members are gaining an unfair advantage or are being treated differently.
Low morale reduces productivity, harms stakeholder relationships, and ultimately impacts the project’s output and the organization’s bottom line.
 

Written by Jumoke Akinrele