When economic conditions turn tough or when the heavy workload seems endless, leaders tend to forget the “basics”: building a commitment beyond the paycheck. It’s the little everyday things that can bring down morale and it’s the little everyday things that can improve performance. A party or picnic once or twice a year is probably not enough. Rather, it is a leader’s sincere recognition that employees are assets to be valued, not tools to be used and discarded. Here are quick ways to boost morale.

Don’t let respect slip under the radar screen.

By treating your employees with respect, you will earn their respect. For example, if you pay attention and care to your front-line staff, they in turn will pay attention and take care of the customer. Start with daily greetings. Remember their birthdays or other important dates. Take an interest in their interests. Thanks for a job well done.

Take them seriously.

There is incredible brainpower around you, so why not put it to work? He hired his employees because he thought they could make a valuable contribution. Ask for their suggestions on problems. Include them in decisions that affect their work. Give them enough authority to go with their responsibility.

Work for your people.

Listen and act quickly on your questions. Clear the way for them to do their job well. Once people see their leader acting for them or on their behalf, they develop a personal loyalty that energizes their performance.

Walk with the talk.

Here are 5 tips from employees to leaders on how NOT to talk about employee motivation. Are they talking about you?

• Make promises but don’t keep them. Just make excuses.
• Be nice to me only when you want something extra from me.
• Let me find out from the gossip factory if you don’t like my job.
• Yell at me when things go wrong and ignore me when things go right.
• If it’s really a “rush job,” stop me every 10 minutes to ask how it’s going.