Create a More Positive Workplace Culture in 90 Days
December 9, 2022
Mark Pursley
Resolve to Take Small Steps for a Big Change in the New Year
Building a positive workplace culture results in happier employees, which in turn, increases your productivity rates, decreases staff turnover, supports goal achievement, and ultimately impacts your bottom line. Basically, a happy workplace is good for everyone! The question is, how can you create a positive, supporting workplace culture quickly. Check out these tips to get started.
Design an Open Floor Plan (or open and casual meeting spaces)
Having a large, open floor plan or creative places where employees can gather. lets your staff communicate with each other more easily. This leads to stronger team bonds and work friendships — and that alone can make your employees happy.
While work shouldn't be all about socializing, it is an important part of making your employees happy, and happier employees get more work done.
Our chamber's Sr. VP, Colleen Dick, shared that "We weren't sure that our staff would use our unstructured work spaces but, once they were encouraged to step out from behind their desks something kind of fun happened. Random social conversations accidentally became impromptu planning meetings and brainstorming sessions and the energy around our work increased noticeably. The change was almost immediate."
Look for New Hires That Fit In
To create a positive work culture, your employees need to get along. So it's important for hiring managers to look for qualities in job applicants that would help them fit in at your company. For example, if most of your employees are the more casual, chatty type, you don't want to hire someone who seems tightly wound. If you did, he or she would have a hard time working with and building relationships with your current employees. It might take you a bit longer to find someone to fill a job that will be a good fit, but finding someone who "gets" your company's culture is worth the wait.
Be Approachable
You might tell your employees that you have an open-door policy, but do you really make them feel comfortable approaching you? Take a few minutes each day to interact with your employees. Listen to their ideas, and help them solve problems they're having. When you show genuine interest in your employees, they know that you care about them and appreciate the work they do — and they'll be a lot more comfortable entering your office to have a chat when needed. Also, say "hi" to people you pass in the hallways and smile frequently — it's important for the boss to lead the way and small gestures like this show your employees that you're happy and they should be too.
Have Some Fun
Don't be afraid to let loose once in awhile. It's good to have some fun with your employees. It shows them that you're just a regular person, not someone who's powerful and scary. Host company-wide events such as a family picnic or an office holiday party. You can also host team-building events for each team. Simply choose fun activities that require team members to work together such as a trip to the nearest escape room facility.
Recognize Accomplishments
Set reachable goals for your employees each month an give recognition awards to employees who meet or exceed their goals. Alternatively, start an Employee of the Month program and let your employees nominate their co-workers for the award. Also, when an employee reaches a small milestone, be sure to let them know that they did a great job.
Creating a positive work environment doesn't have to be difficult. The key to success is getting your employees to bond and interact with each other and ensure they feel valued and supported.