Hidden Habits That Are Draining Your Crew’s Energy

A propane business is more than trucks and tanks. It’s a team working daily to deliver heat, comfort, and service. But even the most loyal team can feel tired, disconnected, or discouraged when company culture slips. Often, it’s not the significant changes that affect morale; it’s the small, repeated habits that go unnoticed until people start tuning out.

It might not be because of external pressure when you sense a dip in your team’s energy or engagement. Instead, it could be a bad habit that’s slowly become normalized within your company. And, the sooner you spot it, the faster you can fix it.

Watch for Blame Over Fixes
One habit that lowers morale is constantly searching for who is to blame when something goes wrong. Your team will stop speaking up if every mistake becomes a finger-pointing session. Instead of offering ideas, they’ll stay quiet, which, over time, kills trust.

A better habit is to look for solutions first when something goes awry. Train your team to immediately ask, “What can we do differently next time?” That shift in tone encourages people to take ownership without fear. Accountability still matters, but it’s framed to support learning and improvement instead of blame shifting.

Overlooking Small Wins
Another habit that damages morale is ignoring the small wins. Don’t let it slide when your team completes a tough install, wins a new client, or gets a customer compliment. If people feel their extra effort is invisible, they’ll stop offering it.

You don’t need to give a big bonus or an award ceremony. Even a quick thank-you or public shout-out in a team meeting makes a difference. It communicates to your employees that their work matters and their accomplishments are recognized. They will appreciate this positive nod in their direction more than you realize.

Reacting Instead of Planning
Running a propane company often means dealing with unexpected challenges – severe weather, equipment issues, and last-minute deliveries. But when a business runs in constant reaction mode, it leaves your team feeling rushed and out of control.

If every day feels like chaos, morale suffers. You can’t prevent every problem from occurring, but you can build more structure. Daily huddles, clear communication, organized schedules, and proactive planning for potential hurdles will help your staff feel grounded, even during hectic times.

Missing One-on-One Time
If you’re only talking to your team when there’s a problem, they’ll start to avoid you. Strong morale depends on regular, low-pressure conversations. Take the time to chat with your employees individually, not just during team meetings. Be sure to ask how they’re doing, what’s working, and what’s getting in their way. When people feel heard, they feel valued, and that sense of value will show up in the pride they take in their work.

Why This Matters
In the propane industry, your people are a key part of what you offer. Customers don’t just buy fuel; they buy trust, safety, and service. A team that feels appreciated and supported delivers all three. But a team weighed down by blame shifting, silence, or chaos can’t perform at its best.

If your company’s morale has slipped, don’t wait for it to get worse. Look at the small habits inside your business. Change the ones that wear people down. Build the ones that lift them up. That positive shift will not just improve your employees’ day-to-day work; it will strengthen your entire company.