Do your employees show very little appreciation for each other, gossip, and complain? In other words, do you have a toxic team? I hope not, but if that is the case, here is an idea you might use to turn things around. I discovered it while I was looking through my team exercises for a recent teambuilding session I conducted.

Institute this activity that you do at the beginning of every group meeting. Each employee is asked to share with another employee how something he did positively impacted him and helped to make his work easier. Depending on the size of your team, you can have employees do it one at a time or simultaneously with each other.

Be sure that participants give direct compliments rather than generic compliments during the activity. An example of a generic compliment is, "I appreciate everything you did for me last week." Instead, aim for something like, "I appreciate so much that you helped me with the filing job when you saw that I was overwhelmed." Or, "I really like it when you come in and say hello to everyone in the morning. It gives everyone a lift."

All too often we dwell on what one of our co-workers is NOT doing and that results in complaining, bad feelings, and a general toxic workplace. Even if you would not describe your team as "toxic," this activity will result in a much more positive workplace for everyone. So try this activity in your organization and let me know how it works.

Contact me if you would like to talk about a customized team retreat to work on any of your specific team or customer service issues. I can be reached via e-mail at: peggy@peggymorrow.com or by phone: (281) 280-8190 or 800-375-2982.