tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712886818225825296.post8564660967622301148..comments2024-02-05T20:52:11.990+10:00Comments on DJ Cronin: Mindful Leadership ™ ® © : Should volunteers and paid staff be managed the same?DJ Cronin (Diarmuid Joseph)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14217163695140434673noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3712886818225825296.post-44360564112511271992010-03-27T18:48:02.013+10:002010-03-27T18:48:02.013+10:00Perhaps "Should paid staff be managed similar...Perhaps "Should paid staff be managed similarly to volunteers?" is a little easier to swallow than the other way around.<br /><br />I read an article in the Courier Mail (26 March 2010) "Grey cloud over the work environment" and it got me thinking. A simple "How are you going?" had a positive impact on an employee suffering depression. What impact is created by a daily thank you and a genuine appreciation for the time and effort donated by a volunteer? A huge impact many times over!!!<br /><br />Volunteer Managers like other line managers use recruitment, health and safety, risk management and other HR policies and procedures to ensure a safe and harmonious work environment for the people they manage. The difference is volunteer managers are constantly aware that volunteers are donating their time and effort for no monetary reward. The reward is in the volunteering and the satisfaction of a job well done. However this satisfaction is reinforced and volunteers feel valued when volunteer managers provide emotional support and show a genuine care and appreciation for the time and effort donated by the volunteer.<br /><br />There are so many incredible stories of people whose lives have changed because of volunteering - the social interaction with other volunteers and volunteer managers and the improved feelings of self worth through helping others have made positive impacts on these people's lives. In turn these same volunteers have provided a listening ear and compassion for people on the receiving end of their altruism.<br /><br />Volunteer managers may themselves be in danger of burnout because of the intense level of emotional support and encouragement that they constantly express to all of their volunteers in addition to all of the other line management responsibilities of budgets, business plans, meetings and reports.<br /><br />Volunteer managers and other line managers are not so different. Perhaps volunteer managers could share their specific skills with other line managers and maybe some of the grey clouds in the workplace could be lifted.Wendy Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13905408753088729631noreply@blogger.com