5 Tips to Create a Positive Work Environment
Photography: Rachael Michelle
By Kate McGrath Burgess
Chances are, you’ve worked for a business that made you dread going to work each day because the work environment just wasn’t right. Maybe your boss was a micromanager or you felt like your work was never good enough – regardless of circumstance, it’s not nice to feel excluded or unappreciated at work everyday.
I am a big believer that a positive work environment creates a more productive and connected team, and supports the mental health of everyone working there. Here are a few tips to help create a more inviting and pleasant work environment for your coworkers and employees.
1. Positive communication
Communication is the key for any successful relationship. Being clear and concise about your ideas and needs from your team helps them to work more efficiently and will save you all time in the long run.
Making light conversation is also great for team morale, as it establishes a personal connection with your colleagues and can make a world of difference to the office dynamic. Having a quick chat about The Bachelor or your weekends may seem unproductive from a time perspective, but will prove invaluable in the long run.
In the early days of my first office job, I was a nervous wreck, and was comforted by the secretary, who kindly asked me what kind of tea I liked and then made a cuppa for me. It was such a simple act, but one that made me feel really included and more comfortable in the office. I may not have known how to answer the phone, but at least I knew I could go in and have a cup of tea with someone who was nice to me.
2. Team appreciation
Following on from positive communication, letting your employees and coworkers know how much you appreciate their work is a key element to creating a positive work environment. When people feel like they’re doing a good job and that their efforts are appreciated, they are able to flourish and create their best work.
Veronique James, creator and CEO of the James Agency, takes this one step further. At the start of each week, Veronique and her team gather for a ‘team kudos’ meeting.
“Giving people a vehicle to express appreciation for one another in a public forum raises the morale of the entire group, establishes a positive tone for the week and helps people feel acknowledged and valued,” says Veronique.
I don’t know about you, but I love when employers tell me what I’m doing right as well as what I can improve on. It’s something not enough of them take the time to do.
3. Celebrate the wins – big and small
Celebrating wins, no matter the size, is like the adult version of getting a ribbon at the school carnival. You ran or swam the hardest your little legs could take you and – woohoo you won, Here’s a small blue ribbon and some bragging rights. But remember how exciting it was to get that ribbon? The sheer elation and joy of achieving something you’d worked so hard towards?
Sadly, no one really gives you a ribbon when you do well at work (at least not that I know of). But presenting that metaphorical ribbon can be as simple as a “Hell yeah, great job, I know you worked really hard on that!” or “That’s amazing, you should be really proud of yourself” or announcing their achievement to the entire team.
Whether it’s because they’ve landed a new client, launched a big project or fixed the coffee machine, take the time to give them a ribbon.
4. Encouraging ideas from everyone
Encouraging everyone to have an input on a project makes people feel like they have a voice and they’re wanted and valued in a team.
Being an introvert myself, it can be intimidating going into a meeting with a lot of loud voices in the room. Even if people don’t speak up, I can guarantee everyone has an idea or an opinion.
As an authority or management figure, it’s important to make the effort to ask specific team members for their thoughts and opinions. A simple, “Hey, Sally, what do you think of this?” or “How do you think we should approach this, Harry?” can often be the glue that binds the team together.
Asking the opinions of your employees also offers a range of different perspectives, knowledge and creative solutions. Everyone has a different area of expertise and can help give the project or problem that extra bit of pizazz it needs.
5. Have fun!
We spend a third of our lives at work, so it only makes sense to make it a place where we are able to have a bit of fun and express ourselves . A lot of businesses wait until their Christmas parties to do something fun as a group but there are plenty of other ways for you to spice up your workplace.
An easy way to do this is to let people decorate their desks. I definitely work more productively when I have a cute workspace – give me a few photos and Kmart plants and I’m good to go.
Another way to bring a fun vibe into the office is by taking turns to bring in sweet treats for everyone to nibble on at lunchtime. Alternatively, everyone could take turns in making a cake for someone’s birthday. Even if you don’t have an office full of bakers, a burnt attempt will make for a great story at the end of the day.