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Discover some tricks to improve the quality of your work environment
We all need a pleasant and motivating work environment. Our daily work-place conditions, such as physical space or personal relationships, are vital for everyone and determine the quality of our work.
The well-being of our employees is transformed into performance and retention of talent.
How can we achieve that? And, what should we not do?
How not to improve the work environment
It is easy to have an idea of what we must do to improve working conditions: to be kind, to listen… In this post, we look at some issues that can be ambiguous or put into practice in a way that do not benefit us.
What should we not do?
1. Expect easy relationships
Relationships are difficult, even in the best of the environments, we cannot expect or demand that there is always agreements, so it is vital to create a climate of tolerance where we reward respect.
2. Focus on changing what is wrong
Sometimes it is useful, but what if we strengthen what is already well? This is the key for change to come from within and for lasting improvements.
3. Implement measures without listening
This never works. Practice active listening to understand the point of view of the employee and make them feel taken into account.
The listening has to be accompanied with an open, flexible and respectful mentality.
One thing is to listen, and the other is to show interest, to give feedback, to be tolerant… The first is just a formality, and the second is the basis for trusting relationships.
4. Change people, or pretending to
If we want to improve relationships in our teams, we must focus on improving working conditions. We cannot change people; we can only change situations and circumstances to be favorable to create well-being, motivation, etc.
5. Give thanks (only)
You can thank, as we have all been taught, or you can take this opportunity to create a bond of trust with employees. The difference is again whether we do it as a formality or because we value them.
What do you think can change if we start to thank people for their work, effort, their optimistic attitude, or perseverance…?
If we show we know them, they will feel valued, motivated to continue giving the best of themselves, and will be open to hearing things to improve too.
How to improve our work environment
To create a satisfying environment, think about creating an environment that allows your employees to develop both personally and professionally, a place to grow and build relationships.
Your employees will have different needs, such as schedules, tastes when it comes to distributing their workspace…
And, as a company, different situations will arise, such as changes of premises, increase in staff
Be flexible, encourage listening and adapt strategies to the circumstances..
Here are some ideas that have worked in other companies
Rotate workspaces to establish relationships with other members and promote continuous learning. It is the opposite of stagnating or maintaining rigid structures.
Recognize the efforts of others, especially on bad days, so they never go home worried or angry.
Address people by name and show interest. For example, celebrate or congratulate them on their birthday, for work or personal achievements, etc.
Hire trainers for workshops on interpersonal communication skills, active listening, assertiveness, emotional intelligence, group dynamics and teamwork…
Install satisfaction meters where employees grade their level of satisfaction at the end of the day.
Facilitate and promote healthy living: providing a parking lot for bikes, showers, workout machines, offering healthy snacks such as fruits, providing regular medical visits…
Create a space for socializing with a coffee maker, a dispenser of cold and hot water for tea, etc. Moreover, if you are able to offer free or low-cost meals, you will save costs –transportation, restaurants- and time -from going home- and it is an opportunity to promote healthy diets and tight relationships between workers.
Do projects outside the workplace, such as hiking, races, charities or activities for companies designed to help your team to interact and get to know each other, providing an inclusive climate.
Taking the benchmark of success stories in Silicon Valley, we learn that they are on:
A workspace that leads to creativity and concentration
It is essential to use the maximum of natural light and ventilation; plants also help create a pleasant atmosphere. Visually, it has to be a clean and tidy space, with touches of color but not saturated by decorations.
The space must be adapted to the people who use it as well as to facilitate the movement and communication. Create additional space to meet; the change of space awakens the mind and the change of posture helps to be more comfortable.
Make sure the spaces have material in good condition, and software are functional and updated.
The conciliation
Provide facilities to reconcile work and family life will increase employee satisfaction. Why keep unproductive 9-to-6 working days?
Telecommuting or flexible schedules give autonomy to the employee and when they have control of their time, stress decreases and overall satisfaction with the company increases.
As a leader, ask yourself if you would rather your employees to accomplish their hours or to accomplish their job.
Then, knowing that you have chosen the most efficient response for your company, set goals and facilitate working conditions according to the needs of your employees.
Professional is also personal
Your employees are people, so they will find value in that company that cares about their well-being.
This concept is key if we want to attract and retain talent, if we want our employees to be the first ambassadors of our brand, if we want to create a pleasant working environment for everyone where everyone brings the best of themselves and is valued for it.
Sometimes, investments are not counted with coins.
