If we think about the workplace as a living organism, sustained by profit and constantly growing, the overall health would be the work environment. A healthy, or positive work environment is key to maintaining a successful business, one free of internal strife and the weights of negativity. The ideal environment for your business to thrive can be attained by implementing these practices with your employees.
Recognize the efforts of your employees.
The same care and attention we give to our bodies can be applied to the workplace, after all a healthy body is a healthy mind. If each department is a system, then each must be equally cared for and looked after. You want to let your employees know that they are appreciated, that each member of the team is important to the business’s success. Providing rewards and recognition for exemplary work helps employees feel good about themselves, and the work they do. The rewards do not have to elaborate, simply ordering pizza for your workers, or throwing a mid-day event to say thanks goes a long way.The last thing you want is your employees dreading the sound of their alarm clock every morning, so give them a reason to look forward to coming in.
Challenge your employees.
Exercise gives our bodies the chance to grow stronger and allows the mind to better navigate the stress in life. However, if you never get off the couch, the body never gets a chance to live up to its full potential. This same line of thought can be applied to your employees. Challenge employees to come up with solutions to existing problems. Encouraging workers to voice their ideas about the business or its practices ensures a feeling of involvement among employees. Never stifle any interest in the company, because your employee’s great idea might end up in the hands of a new boss. Fostering open dialogue not only gives your employees an outlet, but also creates an opportunity for you to communicate your thoughts, which brings us to the last topic.
Check in regularly with your employees.
Our bodies have been programmed to give off signs relative to its state, we feel sluggish when sick, and full of energy after a great night of sleep. Similarly, your employees’ state of mind will show in their work, excellent when happy and sub- par when they are not. Begin instilling a climate of communication by holding weekly meetings, nothing too structured, but just enough to allow your employees to voice their concerns. This is a win-win situation – your employees will feel comfortable talking to you, and this would be an opportunity for you to get your expectations across your team.
A business constantly in-touch with their employees’ ideas, concerns, and achievements will most certainly leave a positive impression on the current team and prospective hires.