Team feeling flat? Here's how to lift morale and motivation using simple, strengths-based strategies.
“Everything’s… fine.” But is it really?
You can’t quite put your finger on it.
The work’s getting done. People are polite. Meetings tick along. But the spark’s not there.
The team feels… flat.
There’s less energy. Fewer ideas. A creeping sense of “going through the motions.” But nothing big or obvious has happened—no major change, no falling out, no crisis. Just a slow slide into low morale.
If you’re a manager in the public sector, this might feel familiar. And it’s a hard one to talk about. Because when nothing’s wrong, it can feel like there’s nothing to fix.
But there is.
Motivation dips aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes they’re subtle, quiet, and cumulative. And the good news is you don’t need a big restructure, a budget-draining away day, or a top-down campaign to start lifting the energy.
Let’s explore how to spot the signs early—and five strengths-based ways to turn things around.
What’s really behind a “flat” team?
Often, it’s not one single thing. It’s a series of quiet signals:
- People stop volunteering new ideas
- Conversations become more transactional
- Meetings feel like a box-ticking exercise
- Energy dips, but no one wants to admit it
- A few key people withdraw or become more reactive
- Feedback feels forced—or has dried up completely
These are common in public sector teams navigating pressure, policy shifts, and resource constraints. They’re not signs of failure. They’re signs of fatigue, misalignment, or disconnection.
The real risk? If left unaddressed, low energy becomes the new normal. Productivity may stay steady for a while—but collaboration, creativity and commitment quietly fade.
Related: How to Make Employees Feel Heard and Valued at Work
So, what can managers actually do?
Here’s the good news: You don’t need a whole new team strategy or an away day every quarter. You do need to create space for honest check-ins, strengths-led conversations, and momentum-boosting shifts.
Here are five strengths-based, low-lift ways to re-energise your team.
1. Change the conversation, not the job description
You don’t need to change roles—you need to reconnect people with what they do best. When motivation dips, it’s often because someone is spending too much time in energy-draining tasks and not enough in energising work.
Start with simple questions:
- “What part of your role gives you the most energy at the moment?”
- “Where do you feel under-used or less motivated?”
- “What would you like more of in your week?”
These are the conversations that uncover untapped strengths—and often spark ideas for small but meaningful shifts.
According to Gallup, teams that focus on their strengths every day see a 12.5% increase in productivity and higher employee engagement (Gallup, 2017).
“The change has been palpable. People are more energised, more open, and more aligned with their strengths.” — Team Member, University of Westminster
“Several of our workshop attendees have told us that small changes—like making time for mentoring—helped them reconnect with what energises them most at work.”
2. Spot the hidden disconnects
Sometimes low energy comes from subtle misalignment. People might be working hard—but not feeling valued. Or they’re unsure how their contribution fits into the bigger picture.
Strengths-based tools help teams name what they bring and see how it links to collective goals. We often hear this shift at Strengthify workshops:
“Oh—that’s why we’ve been clashing!” or “I didn’t realise that was a strength!”
CIPD research confirms this: 1 in 4 UK employees feel underappreciated, and recognition is a top driver of engagement (CIPD Employee Outlook).
Explore more: What Every Manager Gets Wrong (and Right) About Team Days
3. Reignite energy with quick team check-ins
When energy dips, many managers double down on delivery. But what teams often need is space to pause, connect, and refocus.
Try a 15-minute weekly “Energy Check”:
- What gave you energy this week?
- What drained it?
- One thing you’re proud of—or appreciated in someone else?
It’s simple, strengths-focused, and creates momentum through recognition.
According to McKinsey, non-financial recognition is the most effective—and least used—lever for motivation (McKinsey, 2009).
4. Give permission to feel—and reset
Flat energy doesn’t mean people are disengaged. It often means they care and they’re tired.
Especially in stretched public sector environments, teams need permission to say, “We’re not at our best right now.” It opens the door to doing something about it.
Even a day or half-day reset—focused on team strengths, shared values, and what’s working—can be more effective than a top-down away day. It’s what we call the “one-day boost with long-term impact.”
At Strengthify, we’ve helped hundreds of public sector teams reconnect through support and workshop resets. The result? Less churn, more energy, and visible improvements in trust and collaboration.
Read: Workshops That Stick: Building a Strengths-Based Culture, One Conversation at a Time
5. Focus on wins, not fixes
Low morale often sends leaders into “fix-it” mode. But the fastest way to lift energy is to celebrate what’s already working.
Encourage teams to share small wins weekly. Revisit recent achievements. Highlight effort as well as outcomes.
People don’t just want feedback. They want to feel seen.
The Engagement Institute estimates that disengaged employees cost the UK economy £14 billion a year in lost productivity (HRZone, 2016).
Even something as simple as “I noticed how you handled that tough conversation—thank you” can re-spark motivation.
Try: How to Make Feedback Work: Turning Team Reflection Into Real Change
The bottom line: Flat doesn’t mean failing
If your team’s energy feels low, it’s not a sign you’ve lost control—it’s a sign they need connection, not correction.
At Strengthify, we believe teams don’t need rescuing. They need reminding of what makes them strong.
By making space for real conversations, strengths-based reflection, and practical nudges, you can help your team move from flat to fired-up—without overhauling everything.
Also read: Workshops That Stick: Building a Strengths-Based Culture, One Conversation at a Time
Ready to re-energise your team?
Start with a Discovery Workshop, or explore our Management Development Programme designed for public sector managers like you. We’ll help you build lasting energy, not just a short-term buzz.
Explore Discovery Workshops
Learn about the Management Development Programme
Contact Strengthify