Another eventful year is coming to an end. 2021, with all its ups and downs, will remind businesses of the importance of being flexible and adaptable.
Rising tensions over the business landscape amid the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, have prompted leaders to think and brace for the worst.
It is for this reason that leaders and managers should try to strengthen positive cultural attitudes in the workplace. A common denominator seen in the business world today is that those who thrive are the ones who have incorporated this mindset into their workflows.
Workplace culture is the fabric that holds leaders and their workforce together. The culture a company embraces ultimately determines the kind of attitude, core missions and values it stands on.
The benefits of a positive work environment are best reflected in low employee turnover, higher profit margins and greater job satisfaction. As a leader, striving to create a highly motivated team will result in better collaboration, get their team’s creative juices flowing, and raise the bar on productivity.
Here are some ways you can look at creating a positive work environment.
Value building relationships
Regardless of the industry or profession, most people undoubtedly spend the majority of their hours in a week at work with their co-workers, making the office their most important place to be.
That’s why it’s in every leader’s interest to create an environment that nurtures and inspires growth for all team members, regardless of their role.
Having strong social ties with colleagues promotes mental well-being and improves team morale. A team with both junior and senior positions motivates the team members and creates more understanding for each other. Such an collaborative environment ensure a transfer of skills and knowledge so that those with more experience will voluntarily mentor those with less experience.
A company’s ability to collide or prosper depends largely on the quality of the social relationships they form and establish.
Have an attitude of gratitude
As the year is particularly challenging for many, it is important to understand the benefits of being a vehicle of appreciation for your team.
Embracing an attitude of gratitude increases your team’s self-esteem and helps cultivate a more optimistic view of situations. Your employees are the engine of your company and helping them build a sense of resilience, despite situations that look so bleak will help them overcome obstacles in their way.
Investing in automation will also help facilitate their workflow and provide them with the necessary training to develop their confidence in the tasks they will be faced with.
As a leader and mentor, practicing gratitude within your team will also indicate that you are aware of their efforts and will recognize those who contribute to the company’s success.
Don’t leave a mess for others to clean up
Nothing can be more frustrating than having people deliver projects for others to pick them up. The intrusion workflow can ruin efficiency within a team and cause stress.
Setting up your team to take on responsibilities and not leave their dirty dishes in the sink creates the responsibility and awareness needed to function properly.
Learning to respect your time and energy is paramount to building lasting relationships and is the most valuable invisible currency a company owns. Being ignorant of the workload of others can lead to a negative work environment that ends up costing your team and yourself more than agreed.
As a leader, be the example of clear and proper communication that helps keep your team more united and at the top of their game.
Stay consistent at all times
Have you heard the saying that too many cooks spoil the broth? The same goes for leading a team. While companies are expected to keep up with the new and latest demands, using too many techniques to improve workflow can end up leaving your employees even more confused and stressed.
As leaders, a common misconception about successfully increasing employee engagement is that the latest professional techniques must be implemented. While change is necessary and it can be healthy to adapt, not every available tactic will work for your team.
The key here is to find what works and use those measures to bring out the best in your team. Anything that affects the flow of your process can be harmful and affect the cultural balance of your team.
Create a safe, inclusive work environment
When emotions and stress skyrocket, even the smallest inconvenience can set off a negative chain reaction within your team. Leaders of all trades now agree that both inclusion and diversity are more than just buzzwords.
Successful companies must create safe and inclusive workplaces that make their employees feel heard, recognized and valued.
Leaders must not allow room for discrimination – all prejudice and deliberate exclusions must be addressed immediately to preserve the well-being of employees.
The benefits of making your workplace inclusive and safe cannot be undermined. When employees feel welcome, confident and seen, it improves employee satisfaction, increases creativity and builds more authentic relationships.
Make positive culture your most valuable asset
By making an extra effort to create a positive work attitude, you strengthen the bond and partnership between your employees and the company.
Rather than spend millions of dollars on purchasing the latest gadgets and technology, it is more beneficial for companies to maintain a good relationship with their employees.
Today, more than ever, it is loyalty and passion that unlock new opportunities within teams that ultimately benefit a company.
So it’s best practice to build a culture that channels positivity, encourages creativity, and progresses towards achieving new wins for your team.
Michael is the founder of leading leadership consultancy WorkSmart Australia – a certified B Corp – Awakened Mind, and The Conscious Leader†
With an outstanding track record in his field, he is known as a leading authority on mindful leadership and has trained and coached thousands of leaders, from CEOs to frontline managers.
Michael is also the author of the number one bestseller, The Conscious Leaderand co-author of, A Practical Guide to Mindfulness Meditation with Patrick Kearney and Outstanding Leadership in Australia and New Zealand with Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner.
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