Top 10 Ways to Create a Positive Work Environment

EJ Leif, Business Analyst, Grays Peak Strategies

Positive Work Environment.png

Some people dread going into work, they complain about presentation deadlines, back to back conference calls, and worst of all a boss breathing down their neck. You may have a similar experience, or you may not relate at all and be feeling lucky. Perhaps, you have similar deadlines, but you do not feel the same pressure. It generally has nothing to do with your luck and everything to do with the environment you work in.

People who work in a negative work environment, feel higher stress at the same level of work compared to their counterpart in a positive work environment. So, besides a little less stress what is a “positive work environment” good for and why should we care?

Positive Work 2.png

A positive work environment is believed to decrease turnover rates, enhance performance, boost company morale, and lower healthcare expenditures.[1] Overall, this means a more cost-effective way to run a business. Why not step away from the “traditional” tough approach and trying some new techniques? What are the best ways to try to create a positive work environment? Here are 10 solid ideas you can easily implement:

  1. Care for/ provide support for one another & show each other gratitude
  2. Don’t place blame, work to find solutions
  3. Inspire one another and focus on strengths
  4. Make sure that the physical office environment is pleasant and maintained
  5. Encourage self-care techniques and personal wellness
  6. Respect personal time as personal and not pressuring people to be available 24/7
  7. Emphasize the value of the work & acknowledge the steps to success
  8. Don’t let obstacles get in your way, be creative with your thinking
  9. Model collaboration and teamwork, people like to be part of a team
  10. Bring a little fun to the office (Did you say fun? Yes. Fun.)

Bosses, here’s a bonus 2 suggestion just for you:

1. As the boss, support and be an active member of the team 

  • Check in with team members and make sure that they are doing ok
  • Do not ever call people “yours” or “mine” or use possessive nouns
  • Organize fun networking events so that people can get to know each other personally

2. Be an active teacher to employees, discover their strengths and where they can fit and grow best in the company

  • Explore employee talents and interest to make sure that they are working on projects that are best suited to their interest and skills
  • Find out if there are areas that an employee would like to learn and allow employees growth opportunities

References

Gottschalk, M. (2013) 6 ways to build a more positive workplace. U.S. News & World Reports. Retrieved from: https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/04/29/6-ways-to-build-a-more-positive-workplace

Khawaja, A. (2017) Four ways CEOs can build a more positive workplace. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2017/04/11/four-ways-ceos-can-build-a-more-positive-workplace/#45e280141340

Seppala, E. & Cameron, K. (2015) Proof that positive work cultures are more productive. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2015/12/proof-that-positive-work-cultures-are-more-productive

 

[1] Seppala, E. & Cameron, K. (2015) Proof that positive work cultures are more productive. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2015/12/proof-that-positive-work-cultures-are-more-productive

 

Joe MamlinComment