If you work full time, you spend more time with your coworkers and bosses than with your partner, family or friends. Regardless of whether you like, hate, or indifferent to your job, there are aspects of your work life that you control. For example, your relationships with your colleagues and bosses. If you work to make these relationships as positive as possible, you’ll enjoy work more.
Here are some ways to make your work environment more positive:
Trust: Trust should be the foundation of any workplace. Simply put, confidence is about doing what you say you’re going to do and being who you say you are. Whether you’re an employee or a boss, it’s all about showing your coworkers that you’re consistent, accountable, and accountable.
As an employee, it’s important to believe that your coworkers and bosses support you. So unless you’ve given people a reason to hate you, try to believe that no matter how stressed out your coworkers or boss may seem on some days, it really has nothing to do with you. If this doesn’t work, try asking them what’s wrong and if there’s any way you can help. You’ll likely disarm your colleagues with your empathy, but beware of emotional baggage that might come your way (ie, “My kids/wife are driving me crazy for X reason”).
If you’re a manager, it’s important not to micromanage your staff. Give them responsibilities, check in once or twice a day, but let them run with the chores. Also, you don’t have to like everyone who works for you, but you do need to respect them. So never talk about an employee with another employee, unless you’re highlighting their amazing work. Gossiping about private conversations is also a bad idea, so don’t do it under any circumstances. Employees respect low-key managers, so treat all of your employees the way you want to be treated.
Positive Communication – As an employee, listening to your coworkers and bosses will go a long way. Keep in mind that listening is more than just reacting to what they say. It means understanding where your coworkers and bosses come from. For example, do you thank your coworkers and bosses when they cover for you? Do you offer to do the same? Instead of expecting the job to get done without you, realize that someone else might be doing more work when you’re not around. Acknowledging your coworker’s efforts and offering to cover for him (occasionally) will instill goodwill.
If you have direct reports, be open and ask them to share ideas on how to improve workflow and the office environment. Listen to each employee and honor what they say. If someone wants to work from home on Friday, or if someone wants a casual day out, allowing these benefits will earn you big points. Remember to ask your staff for feedback, as this will show that you value their opinion and respect them as individuals.
Make it fun: Since you already spend so much time at work, making it as fun as possible is a great way to brighten everyone’s day. If your office doesn’t celebrate birthdays yet, suggest this to your manager as a way to liven up the team’s routine. Your team can go all out and have cake, balloons, and a buffet, or you can start small and sing happy birthday to your colleague and decorate their cubicle or office. Or you could also get a birthday card, have everyone sign it, and host a team lunch outside the office.
If you’re a manager, ask your employees what would be fun for them, and then implement what’s possible. Also, try to recognize each of your employees on their special day and publicize their life events (ie weddings, births, new home, etc.). You don’t have to have a big budget to make your staff feel appreciated. Making coworkers happy spreads joy, and that’s an emotion that never goes to waste in an office environment.
Do you have any other suggestions on how to create a positive work environment?
Share your opinion in the comments.
