Posted by & filed under Employee Development.

10 Steps to a Happier Workplace & Increased EffectivenessWhile we all know that a positive work atmosphere leads to higher retention, productivity, and increased effectiveness, sometimes you may find that you are stressed and in a rut yourself. How can you foster a happy workplace for your employees when you are overextended and running dry? Here are some quick reminders for how maintain the happy, motivated workplace you envision.

  1. Give people control. Research shows that people’s happiness is affected by their sense of control over their lives. Being able to do your own work in your own way, or to influence your environment, gives a big boost in satisfaction.
  2. Make yourself available. This can be a tough one to maintain, but take 15 minutes out of your day to talk with one of your team members who is not on your calendar.
  3. Manage everyone individually. Everyone is different, but some are so different that they may require a personalized management style. Knowing your employees on an individual basis is the only way to know how to manage them effectively.
  4. Decrease time spent in meetings. One study compared decisions made by groups where members stood during the meeting compared to decisions made where members sat. Groups that stood took 34% less time, with no loss in quality. Why not give it a try? It could shake up the tenor of your office and the weekly meetings that never seem to end.
  5. Create a growth path for every employee. People have a strong desire for growth and advancement in their lives. Confirm that the plan is aligned with their personal and professional goals. Create benchmarks and a provide opportunities for training, to create a sense of accomplishment.
  6. Support new ideas. Even if you think your office is in a rut, if people are still coming to you with ideas, then all is not lost. They may be stressed, but at least they are still engaged. As much as possible, give people the chance to run with their ideas.
  7. Embrace change. Fighting change is harder than embracing change. If you are open to change, employees will feel free to give their input and throw out innovative ideas.
  8. Shake up the typical routines. People fall into a routine and as they are lulled into boredom, innovation and workplace engagement plunge. Get it back on track by changing up the schedule, giving everyone a turn to run the department meeting, or change up the physical space.
  9. Celebrate personal milestones and acknowledge professional achievements. Take time to note birthdays and other personal milestones. Celebrate them as a group, and you’ll see the levity (and therefore the happiness) increase in your workplace. Acknowledge a job well done with just as much energy as a birthday or other occasion.
  10. Provide ongoing feedback; don’t wait for a standard review cycle.  This is a core behavior of an effective manager. Ongoing feedback keeps you connected to your employees, their challenges and successes -even the small ones. Get comfortable with both positive and negative feedback, so you can integrate them both seamlessly into a conversation or typical workday.

All of these topics and much more are covered in our Communicating to Manage Performance program. Please contact us to learn what this program has done for other organizations and what we can do for yours.

Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person- not just an employee- are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Enlist the steps here for a happier workplace!

At EDSI, we have been resolving employee development, leadership, generational, professional presence, and personal effectiveness issues for over 30 years. Contact us to learn how we can help increase productivity and profits in your organization. 800-282-3374 www.employeedevelopmentsystems.com 

Leave a Reply